PM's visit to Paris cancelled

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official visit to France has been cancelled following Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.

"In view of the evolving situation in France, the official visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been postponed in consultation with the French government," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said yesterday.

She was scheduled to fly to the French capital this morning to attend the two-day Leaders' Forum of the General Conference of the Unesco beginning today.

The government did not cite any specific reason for cancellation of the visit.

The PM's press secretary further said Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid will represent Bangladesh at the Unesco event, and the official visit of the prime minister will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time.

The Daily Star contacted a number of education ministry officials but none could confirm if Nahid was going to Paris.

Diplomatic sources said security concerns could be the main reason for cancelling the visit. A state of emergency was declared across France on Saturday for the first time after the World War II.

Earlier, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali postponed a press briefing -- scheduled to be held at 3:00pm yesterday on the PM's visit to France and upcoming Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta -- citing "unavoidable circumstances".