Zia urges OIC to take steps to end Lebanon crisis

Dhaka, July 26 (UNI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia today urged the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to initiate effective steps to stop killing of innocent civilians in Lebanon.

Ms Khaleda made the call while meeting a parliamentary delegation from Turkey, led by Turkish Grand National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ismail Alptekin.

Condemning the killing of innocent civilians in Lebanon, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh and Turkey are the OIC members and since the OIC secretary general is also from Turkey, he could play a strong role in ending the conflict in West Asia.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has decided to send some humanitarian aid for the war-ravaged people in Lebanon and Palestine.

The assistance, including medicines, biscuits, tea and blankets, will be sent through Red Crescent.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the government is in negotiation with the Qatar Airlines to bring Bangladeshi nationals in Lebanon. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will bring the Bangladeshis by road to Damascus from where they will be brought by aircraft to Dhaka.

The spokesman said the first batch of 140 Bangladeshis will be brought back to Dhaka in a couple of days. So far 300 Bangladeshis have expressed their desire to return home.

An estimated 10,000 Bangladeshis are living in Lebanon.

UNI XC PR HS1714