Dhaka – The government on Monday assured foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka of its resolve to root out terrorism and militancy from the country as law-enforcement agencies are on high alert to thwart further attacks. “The law-enforcement agencies are on high alert and security measures have been strengthened,” said Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali while briefing foreign diplomats on the recent terror attacks at Holey Artisan Restaurant at Gulshan in the city on Friday.
Describing terrorism as a global challenge, Ali said Bangladesh would continue to work closely with other countries, regional organizations and the United Nations to fight this menace.
He expressed hope that the international community would support Bangladesh in fighting common challenges of terrorism and violent extremism.
The foreign minister thanked the countries whose leaders called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, issued statements expressing solidarity with and sympathy for the people of Bangladesh after the brutal attacks.
In this connection, he also referred to the statements issued by the UN secretary-general, secretary general of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), high EU representatives and other foreign countries on the Gulshan cafe attacks.
During the briefing, the envoys offered condolences to those killed by the terrorists in the heinous attack while acknowledging that most nations today face terrorism.
The envoys spelled out their views on the measures that could be taken to further strengthen the endeavours to fight terrorism.
Around 50 diplomats, most of them ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries, attended the briefing held at the State Guesthouse Padma yesterday morning.
Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque and other senior officials of the ministry were present during the briefing.
Twenty innocent people, most of them foreigners, were brutally murdered in the terror attacks at Holey Artisan Restaurant in Gulshan on Friday. Besides, 13 hostages were rescued when two police officers were killed and dozens others injured as law-enforcers in groups attempted to close in on.
