950825

Mali's president

in BD

DHAKA: Mali's President Oumar Konare arrived in Dhaka on Friday on a four-day visit to discuss bilateral, Islamic and international issues with Bangladesh's leaders.

Kinare, accompanied by his wife, was accorded a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute at the airport before being driven to the presidential palace, where he was greeted by President Abdur Rahman Biswas and Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Officials said leaders of the two countries, both members of the Islamic Conference Organisation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement, would have formal talks on Saturday.

They would seek to strengthen international cooperation, bolster ties among Muslim countries and exchange views on other matters of common interest.

Officials said Mali was expected to hire thousands of agricultural workers from Bangladesh and give many of them permanent residence in the West African republic.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will lead the Bangladesh side at the talks, they said.-Reuter