The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday said the BNP still wants to take part in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

"BNP is a election oriented political party. We are still considering taking part in the elections. Discussion between the government and the BNP is being continued to create a level playing field to the polls," she said while Ambassadors of nine Muslim countries met the former prime minister at her Gulshan residence.

The Ambassadors of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Palestine, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Iraq during the meeting with Khaleda Zia hoped that all political parties would participate in the December 18 elections and Bangladesh would back towards establishing democracy through holding the polls in a free and fair manner.

Briefing journalists, the Palestinian Ambassador Shaher Mohammad said during the hour-long meeting they did not discuss any matter of internal affairs.

"We want all parties to take part in the polls," he said.

Asked if they found Khaleda agreeable to take part in the election the Ambassador said, "We discussed about her participation but it is entirely their matter."

He, however, said that they want holding a free, fair, neutral election with participation of all parties.

The Ambassador parried a question if they think election can be free and fair under the emergency.

Begum Zia's Adviser Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said Begum Zia discussed with the envoys about the problems facing the Muslim Ummah and how to resolve those unitedly.

"The matters to strengthen Bangladesh's relation with the Muslim countries also came under discussion," he said.

Replying to a question Chowdhury said, there is no doubt about BNP's intention of going to polls.

"We have raised certain genuine demands to make the polls free and fair, which are under discussion with the government," the former government secretary said

Among other, BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain and former state minister Reaz Rahman were present during the meeting.

The Ambassadors are-- Abdullah bin Naser Al Bosairi of Saudi Arabia, Khalfan Battal Ali Al-Mansouri of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammad AM Darhuby of Libya, Mohammad Hururo of Morocco, Fayyaz Nustaf Nosyar of Egypt, Ibrahim Mohammed A Al-Abdulla of Qatar, Shaher Mohammad of Palestine and representatives of Oman and Kuwait.

On Sunday, a similar meeting was held between the Ambassadors and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina.