Abbas thanks Bangladesh

Terming Bangladesh an unflinching proponent of his people's just causes, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh for its continued support for his country.

He made a nearly two-hour stopover at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka early yesterday while continuing his tour of three other Asian countries, including Japan.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali welcomed Abbas at the VVIP terminal after he landed around 12:35am, said a press release of the Palestine embassy in Dhaka.

They had a meeting in the airport lounge later.

Abbas briefed Ali on the updates on the Israeli atrocities against Palestinian people and land as well as the longstanding impasse regarding the peace process.

In response, the Bangladesh foreign minister reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Bangladesh to the Palestinian people for their struggle for an independent homeland.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is always vocal in the UN, OIC, NAM and other international organisations in support of the Palestinian causes, he said.

Ali then called upon the world leaders to take urgent and meaningful initiatives to resolve the Palestinian crisis.

President Abbas expressed sincere thanks for offering opportunities of higher studies for a good number of students as well as training of armed forces members of Palestine in Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Ali extended an invitation to Abbas and also to his Palestinian counterpart to pay bilateral visit to Bangladesh to witness the “enormous goodwill of the people of Bangladesh for Palestine”.

They exchanged views on different bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest during the meeting.

The Palestinian president was accompanied, among others, by his country's Foreign Minister Reyad Al Malki, President's Spokesman Nahel Abu Rodani, Diplomatic Adviser Majdi Al Khaldi and Economic Adviser Mustafa Abu Al-Rub.

From the Bangladesh side, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and senior officials from the foreign ministry were present.

Charge de Affairs of Palestine Embassy in Dhaka Yousef SY Ramadan, ambassadors of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Charge de Affairs of Oman, Egypt, Iraq and Libya and deputy chief of Mission of Morocco were also present to greet Abbas at the airport.