Ambassador in Beirut to face music

The government would take “administrative steps” after the return of Bangladesh's ambassador to Lebanon AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, said the foreign minister.
Responding to a question at a press briefing, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali said there had been lack of coordination among the officials at Bangladesh embassy in Beirut leading to the collapse of internal administration.
“There had been no alternative but to call him back. Administrative steps will be taken upon his return,” he said, adding that the decision was made to protect Bangladesh's image abroad and national interest apart from restoring discipline in Bangladesh mission in Beirut.
The foreign ministry, in a formal letter to Bangladesh envoy in Beirut on July 17, asked him to return Dhaka and report to the ministry by yesterday.
But official sources said Gousal Azam sought for the six days' grace period and thus he would now return to Dhaka on July 27.
Foreign ministry sources said Gousal Azam yesterday handed over the charge to foreign ministry Director General M Nazrul Islam, who was hurriedly sent to Beirut.
The foreign minister said enquiries into allegations of irregularities had been done and Gousal Azam was alerted many a times to uphold Bangladesh's image in Lebanon. But he could not improve the situation.
He said DG, who was sent to Beirut, had already been taken over the assignment and discipline had been restored at the embassy.
Diplomatic sources said Lebanon had asked Bangladesh to take appropriate measures as the expatriate Bangladeshis blockaded the embassy several times in connection with various allegations against Gousal Azam.
This is the sixth incidence in which a Bangladesh envoy had to be called back from abroad for their alleged involvement in corruption, mismanagement, abuse of power, misconduct, and inability to run a mission.
The government in recent months had called back Mujibur Rahman Bhuiyan from Japan, Mazeda Rafiqunnesa from the Philippines, Hasib Aziz from Uzbekistan, Mosud Manna from Germany and Ashrafuddin From Egypt.