Hundreds of people in Kazakhstan queued around the block to see the official opening of the country's first ever McDonald's .

A huge crowd gathered in the capital, Astana, to witness the ribbon being cut on the £2.5m fast food diner, which features a drive-thru and self-order kiosks.

The spectacle saw speeches from various dignitaries and politicians, including Kazakhstan's Minister of Culture and Sports, Arystanbek Muhamediuly.

Once inside, the McMob swarmed on the counters, ordering everything they could from the world-famous menu.

Queue in front of McDonalds (
Image:
CEN)

The store is owned and operated by Belarus-based businessman Kairat Boranbayev, who promised to "cater to Kazakh national cuisine", which is horse meat.

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However the corporation told RT Boranbayev had been "misquoted" and that horse would definitely not be on the menu.

Some on social media were critical of the furore surrounding the opening.

Vyatcheslav Mishenko wrote on Instagram: "I do not mind people eating what they like, but standing in line for fast food as if they were starving in a Leningrad blockade shows a lack of moral fibre."

Employee together with First Mayor of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov(in the middle) (
Image:
CEN)
Inside the McDonalds (
Image:
CEN)

Another man named Pavel said: "This is bulls***. People in the rest of the world are running away from this food and people here are lining up for it."

The opening of the Kazakh McDonald's takes the restaurant chain's global presence to 120 countries.

The firm has plans to open a further 15 branches in the country over the next five years.

Kairat Boranbaev, McDonald's franchise owner in Kazakhstan (
Image:
CEN)

McDonald's chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: "We're proud to bring McDonald’s to Kazakhstan.

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“We look forward to becoming a part of the local culture and delivering a modern and progressive restaurant experience as we continue to grow our brand internationally."