Palestinian president on three-day visit to Bangladesh

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived here Wednesday on his first-ever state visit to Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid received him at the Hazarat Shahjalal International Airport shortly after a special flight carrying Abbas and his entourage landed here at about 5 p.m. local time.

The Palestinian leader was given a 21-gun salute followed by a guard of honor at the VVIP terminal.

In February last year, Abbas made a brief stopover in Dhaka on his way to Japan from Jordan.

According to diplomatic sources, the visit is aimed at further bolstering bilateral relations through more engagements in various fields, particularly in the field of trade and commerce.

Abbas is scheduled to meet President Hamid and opposition leader in Parliament Raushan Ershad.

He will also hold official talks with the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Diplomatic sources said both sides will discuss bilateral, regional and international issues. They are also expected to discuss relations on agriculture, energy and power, and on future intelligence cooperation.

According to sources, both sides are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the formation of a joint commission at the foreign ministry level. Endit