King Letsie III received the Queen’s Baton from the Australian representatives of the Commonwealth Games on June 29 as part of the Baton’s relay run through the 71 member countries of the Commonwealth before the actual Games in Melbourne in 2006.

King Letsie III accepts the Baton from the Australian High Commissioner during the Baton's run throughout the country. His Majesty walked it for a short distance before handing it over to the Prime Minister who in turn passed it on to the Minister of Sports, Mrs. 'Mathabiso Lepono.

The Baton, on a symbolic run throughout the country, was officially handed over to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, who in turn passed it on to the Minister of Sports, Mrs. ‘Mathabiso Lepono. 

The Minister of Sports started the Baton’s symbolic run by doing a few metres with it down the main street, Kingsway, before handing it over to runners who would take it to Thaba Bosiu on its way to Ha Mohale. 

Lesotho is the 28th country and the last in Africa to have received the Baton, taking over from Swaziland. The delegation will proceed to Trinidad and Tobago.

The Queen's Baton Relay is expected to cover 71 Commonwealth member countries as a curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games being hosted by Australia in 2006.

29 June 2005