Brasília - This morning president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leaves for a four-day state visit to England at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II. The presidential entourage will include ministers of Finance, Antônio Palocci; Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan; Science and Technology, Sergio Rezende; Culture, Gilberto Gil; and Education, Fernando Haddad.

Lula will arrive tonight; his official agenda begins tomorrow with the pomp and circumstance of a royal welcome by the Horse Guards at Buckingham Palace where he will join the queen, her husband and other guests for lunch.

Translation: Allen Bennett