United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has unequivocally condemned the recent Israeli legislation on land purchase that seeks to unlawfully annex the occupied Palestinian territory. In his address to the open-ended OIC executive committee meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, he said this action is designed to alter the legal and demographic character of the Palestinian lands, including the Al Quds Al Sharif. The Foreign Minister expressed his grave concern over the fact that the Israeli decision to ease land purchase and open land registries in the West Bank to public scrutiny exposes the Palestinian landowners to multiple forms of intimidation and harassment. Dr Khalilur Rahman pointed out that these actions are clearly in breach of relevant international law and undermine the very foundations of a just and lasting social order. The Foreign Minister categorically stated that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State following the two-State formula under 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, can offer a sustainable solution to this long protracted crisis. He outright rejected the land related legislation of Israel and demanded to ensure the due land rights of the Palestinians. The foreign minister also demanded permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an unconditional and unhindered access of the international aid workers and humanitarian support providers to the affected men, women and children in the Strip. Dr Khalilur Rahman conveyed the Ramadan greetings from Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Muslim Ummah and stated that the newly elected democratic Government in Bangladesh looks forward to closely working with the OIC Member States. On the sidelines of the OIC meeting, the Foreign Minister held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Foreign Minister of the Gambia, Mr. Sering Modou Njie; Foreign Minister of Palestine, Dr. Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian; Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ambassador Musa Kulaklikaya; and also the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Waleed A. Elkhereiji, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. At the bilateral talks, the dignitaries from the OIC Member States congratulated the people and government of Bangladesh on the successful holding the general elections, felicitated the Prime Minister for the massive victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and expressed their keenness to work with the new Government. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said with the leaders the visions and work programmes of the government particularly with regard to foreign policy, foreign trade and investment, resolution of the Rohingya issue and improving effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat. They also expressed strong support to Bangladesh candidature for the Presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly. Korean FM greets Khalilur Rahman; eyes enhanced ties with Dhaka He invited the dignitaries to visit Bangladesh at their convenience. Adviser for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister, Humayun Kabir; Secretary (Inter-Governmental Organisations) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, M Forhadul Islam, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to OIC, MJH Jabed accompanied the Foreign Minister during the bilateral meetings.