The Olympic torch relay in Kuala Lumpur, the 13th leg of its global journey, started at local time 14:00 Monday at Merdeka Square (Independent Square).

The torch left Independence Square after a brief ceremony. Imran Ibni Tuanku Ja'afar, president of the Malaysian Olympic Council, was the first of 80 torchbearers.

The torch will arrive at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers at 18:00 local time.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2008)