UN delegation wraps up visits to Bangladesh, Myanmar

UNITED NATIONS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations (UN) Security Council delegation wrapped up its visits to Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday, and expressed hope that refugees from the conflict-stricken Rakhine state in Myanmar could return quickly and safely to their homes, a spokesman said.

The delegation visiting Myanmar traveled on Tuesday morning to Rakhine State and toured the border area, deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq said.

From Sittwe, capital of the Rakhine state, the team flew by helicopter to visit two villages, one transit center and one reception camp, where refugees who return will initially be housed, he said.

The delegation also met some refugees who had returned from Bangladesh, the government of Rakhine state and civil representatives.

According to the UN figures, around 70,000 Rohingya people crossed the border to Bangladesh after the outbreak of large-scale acts of violence in August last year.

Myanmar signed an agreement with Bangladesh on the return of displaced people from Bangladesh in November last year, announcing a readiness to start the process on Jan. 23. Enditem