BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary general to play an important role in developing the Muslim Ummah of the world. She made this call while OIC secretary general professor Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called on her at her Gulshan party office last evening.

After the meeting BNP chairperson's adviser to foreign affairs Shamsher Mubin Chowdhury briefed the newsman. Quoting Khaleda Zia, Shamsher Mubin Chowdhury said, BNP chairperson also urged the OIC secretary general to activate the al-Quds committee, a body of OIC, in order to resolve the prevailing situation in Palestine. "As the Palestinian are still facing various problems, the al-Quds committee will be able to resolve the existing crises of the Middle East," Khaleda was quoted as saying.

Shamsher Mubin said that various issues including relating to bilateral and mutual understanding were also discussed during the meeting. "Apart from these, the OIC secretary general Ekmeleddin lauded the role of Khaleda Zia when she was the prime minister, said Shamsher Mubin. Replying to a query he said the 30-minute meeting between Khaleda Zia and OIC secretary general Ekmeleddin was very friendly and cordial. BNP secretary general Khondkar Delwar Hossain and BNP chairperson's adviser to foreign affairs Reaz Rahman were also present during the meeting.

-The Independent