Bangladesh will only engage in the Syria and Iraq crises if the United Nations takes the lead, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said at a press briefing at the ministry yesterday.
“Bangladesh believes in the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq and we want to them to maintain it,” he added.
A coalition of about 50 countries is fighting with Islamic State (IS), an Islamist movement fighting to create a jihadist caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
The Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pankaj Saran said India would soon respond to Bangldesh’s queries about the bomb blast in Bardhaman, the foreign minister said.
When asked about the citizenship of the blast victims, the foreign minister said, “Let the Indian report come.”
Mahmood said the government will discipline diplomats who violate the public trust.
The government will take action against Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes for inviting the Israeli Ambassador in Manila to his residence recently.
“We are taking action one after another. We recalled the Bangladesh ambassador from Lebanon and are taking legal action against him,” he said.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Greece Golam Mohammad has also been recalled and action will be taken against him, Mahmood said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka tomorrow to attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting to be held in Milan. The prime minister will give a speech at the plenary session on October 16, Mahmood said.
About 20 heads of state and government are scheduled to attend ASEM.
Hasina is scheduled to meet with the Italian prime minister and hold sideline meetings with the heads of government of Sweden, the Netherlands and Greece.
