Bangladesh to work with countries, organisations in fighting militancy, terrorism: FM

Bangladesh will continue to work closely with other countries, regional organisations and United Nations in fighting militancy and terrorism, the country's Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said Tuesday.

The foreign minister, however, expressed hope that the international community will also extend support to for Bangladesh to fight terrorism and militancy.

The remarks were made as he briefed diplomats of 50 countries stationed in Dhaka on the recent attack at a Spanish restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave Gulshan that left 22 people including 18 foreigners dead.

Ali condemned the barbaric acts of terror and expressed sympathy to the families of the victims.

He thanked the countries whose leaders called the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or him or issued statements to express sympathy and solidarity with Bangladeshi people and government.

Diplomats, most of them ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries and organisations including U.S., Britain, EU, Japan, Italy, Turkey, India Pakistan, Canada, Switzerland, Brazil, Germany, France, Palestine, Indonesia, China, Sweden, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Australia, WHO, WFP attended the briefing.

The envoys expressed condolences to those killed by terrorists in the heinous attack.

Sources said global terror outfit Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency, according to the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group.

Nine Italians, seven Japanese, two Bangladeshis, an Indian and a Bangladeshi-born U.S. citizen were among the 20 people hacked to death by the terrorists who burst into the restaurant on Friday night.

Seven gunmen armed with blades, guns and bombs also murdered two Bangladeshi police officers in the early hours of the attack.

Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the so-called Islamic State militant group, with six of the gunmen being killed as special forces and police brought the siege to an end and one being captured.

Grief and disbelief not only struck the relatives of the deceased but also the entire nation after the attack, with local people still in a deep state of shock and mourning. Endit