Dhaka – Visiting UK Senior Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Baroness Sayeeda Warsi in a meeting with opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Thursday said an inclusive election is necessary in Bangladesh for its stability.“The UK expects the general election in Bangladesh will be held with the participation of all parties as it is necessary for stability in the country,” BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury quoted Warsi as telling the meeting.
Earlier, the UK minister arrived at Khaleda’s Gulshan residence around 4amd and held an-hour long meeting with her.
Briefing reporters about the meeting, Mobin said various issues relating to mutual interests of Bangladesh and the UK were discussed in the meeting.
Besides, the current political situation in Bangladesh also came up for discussion, he added.
Warsi, on behalf of the UK government, voiced deep concern over the uncertainty about Bangladesh’s 10th general election.
She said her government wants stability to prevail in Bangladesh.
Mobin said the UK hopes that political parties in Bangladesh can reach an understanding over holding a free, fair and acceptable election with the participation of all.
Apart from Shamsher Mobin, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, chairperson’s advisers Reaz Rahman, Sabihuddin Ahmed and British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Gibson were present at the meeting.
Earlier, Warsi met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s office.
Warsi arrived here in the morning to discuss election issues with Bangladesh political leaders.
Visiting Senior Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom Baroness Sayeeda Warsi on Thursday said the third round dialogue between Awami League and BNP scheduled for Friday is one of the last important opportunities to reach a consensus. “Tomorrow’s (Friday’s) third round dialogue (between Awami League and BNP) is one of the last important opportunities to reach a consensus (to resolve the ongoing political impasse),” she told a press conference. Warsi said she have meet the two leaders — Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia – and they both want a compromise. About the death sentence of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader condemned war crimes convict Abdul Quader Mollah, Warsi said they are opposed to death penalty, but there should not be a culture of impunity. Warsi who arrived here in the morning met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia earlier in the day and discussed issues relating to Bangladesh’s national election billed for January 5 next. – UNB
