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.

Jiang Xiaoyu (R), vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games, holds up a torch ahead of the torch relay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 21, 2008.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, the first torchbearer in Kuala Lumpur, waves while holding the Olympic torch ahead of the torch relay in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, April 21, 2008.