United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the ongoing violence in Bangladesh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam disclosed this on Wednesday while talking with a group of journalists at his office in Dhaka.
Moon asked the premier to take necessary steps so that such heinous incidents would continue no longer before the next general elections.
"We received the letter two days back, where the UN chief urged the prime minister to take necessary measures to deescalate the violence for the sake of the lives and properties of the innocent public," said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam there today.
When speaking with the journalists, he said another letter has been sent to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, "but, I don't know anything about the content of the letter," he added.
The state minister said the UN chief mentioned in the letter that UN Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez- Taranco has been assigned to liaise with the government and major political parties in Bangladesh to resolve the problems.
Responding to a question, Shahriar Alam ruled out the possibility of Taranco's visit to Bangladesh shortly to talk about the issue.
But, if we (government) desire it, he (Taranco) may come to Bangladesh, if necessary, the state minister said citing the contents of the letter.
When asked whether the government has been facing any pressure from the international community to hold dialogue with BNP, Shahriar Alam categorically told the journalists that "there is no pressure yet on the government by foreign friends" to this end.
"But, we will remain alert so that any activities of the government are not criticised by international parties," he added.
As for the government holding dialogue with BNP to resolve the crisis, Shahriar Alam ruled out any possibility of this, saying that the government's position about dialogue is clear, that "no discussions can be held with the killers.
The state minister said, in the letter, the UN chief also appreciated Bangladesh's contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission and its progress in different important sectors.
The state minister said the government is preparing to give a reply to the letter from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon promptly.