Ambassadors of Saarc and Asean countries have expressed concerns over the security of their nationals staying in Bangladesh.
In a meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali yesterday, the foreign envoys said they were happy about the security measures taken for the embassies and their staff members, but they were worried about their nationals living in Bangladesh.
The minister had briefed them on the current political situation and the upcoming 10th parliamentary elections, said a ministry official after the meeting held in state guesthouse Padma.
The official said the foreign envoys had conveyed their anxiety when the foreign minister asked if they had any concerns.
Many students and professionals from Nepal, Bhutan, the Philippines and Malaysia reside in Bangladesh.
“The minister assured them of providing extra security to the dormitories where international students lodge,” the official said.
In a press release issued yesterday, the government assured all ambassadors of ensuring safety and security of the diplomatic missions and foreign nationals, including students and expatriate workers, during the critical period preceding the elections.
Gowher Rizvi, adviser to the prime minister for international affairs, and Md Shahidul Haque, foreign secretary, were present at the briefing.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali will brief the envoys of the US, China, Japan, the UN and Islamic countries today and ambassadors of the European countries on December 30.
