Saudi Arabia Sending Team To Bangladesh To Aid In Finding Killers Of Envoy
By Arab News
By MD Rasooldeen
Saudi Arabia is to send an investigation team to assist Bangladesh in tracking those responsible for the murder of Saudi diplomat Khalaf Al-Ali in Dhaka on March 6.
The decision was made following talks held in Riyadh yesterday between Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Bangladeshi counterpart Dr. Dipu Moni, who arrived in the Saudi capital on Tuesday.
Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammed Shahidul Islam also participated in the talks held at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Riyadh.
Moni, is currently in the Kingdom leading a four-member delegation to Riyadh and Jeddah. During the meeting, the visiting minister handed a letter addressed to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah from the Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina Wajed conveying her condolences over the tragedy.
In her letter, Hasina also conveyed her deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.
On arrival on Tuesday in Riyadh, Moni was received by Deputy Foreign Minister for Protocol Affairs Alauddin Al-Askar and other senior officials from the Foreign Ministry. Bangladesh Ambassador Mohamed Shahidul Islam and diplomats from his mission were also present at the arrival lounge of King Khaled International Airport.
She is expected to meet today with Secretary General of the OIC Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in Jeddah. She will also meet her community members in the western region at a function organized by the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah the same day.
Explaining the purpose of her visit to Riyadh, Moni told Arab News yesterday that she came here to update her Saudi counterpart on the measures her government have taken in the investigation of Al-Ali’s recent murder. She also conveyed her personal and country’s sentiments and condolences during her meeting with Prince Saud.
“I also requested the Saudi foreign minister to send a team of investigators to assist my government officials to find the criminals responsible,” she said, pointing out Prince Saud readily agreed to this suggestion and said arrangements will be made soon to send an investigation team to Dhaka.
She said the murder sent shockwaves across the nation, as the people of Bangladesh hold Saudi people very close to their hearts. She added the highest authorities in the country were concerned and directed relevant departments and agencies to solve the case.
In response, Prince Saud expressed great appreciation for the Bangladesh people and the government for conducting the investigation and described it as a “commendable effort” and “source of great consolation” for members of the bereaved family. He hoped those responsible would be brought to justice soon.
The two ministers also discussed matters of bilateral interest that included Bangladesh manpower in the Kingdom, Haj operations and trade and investment.
