Syed Ashraf questioned joining Saudi alliance

Awami League General Secretary and Public Administration minister Syed Ashraful Islam questioned Bangladesh’s decision to join the Saudi-led alliance during Monday’s cabinet meeting.

Two cabinet members who attended the meeting confirmed the matter to jagoNews24.com. They said, Ashraf wanted to know about the government`s position to join the Saudi alliance.

Ashraf said, an approval from the Parliament is necessary before participating in any such alliances. But we read in the newspapers that Bangladesh has joined the Saudi-coalition already!

Answering question of Syed Ashraf Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said, this coalition is not a military alliance, but a pact against terrorism. Nothing has been finalised in this regard.

Sources said, a minister wanted to know why Bangladesh is taking part in the alliance when countries like Iran and others have opted out even though they are members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at one stage of the meeting said, Bangladesh’s foreign policy is unmistakably clear…Friendship to all, malice to none.