DHAKA: The diplomats from 50 countries and European Union on Wednesday urged the government to hold an urgent dialogue for holding a free, fair, credible and inclusive election as soon as possible.

The plea came from a meeting with the foreign ministry at the ministry on Thursday afternoon.  

State Minister for the ministry Shahriar Alam briefed the foreing diplomats at his office. Foreign Affairs Secretary Shahidul Haque was present at the meeting.

The countries include the United States (US) of America, the United Kingdom (UK), Egypt, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, German, the Netherlands and Australia.

US Ambassador Dan W Mozena, British High Commissioner Robert Gibson and EU Ambassador William Hannah separately briefed journalists.

They told the journalists that the common notion was to call for an urgent dialogue to find a way for holding a free, fair, credible and participatory election.

They were encouraged as the recent development of political arena of the country of withdrawal of hartal and blockade, reduction of violence incidents, the newsmen were told.

The ministry organized the meeting to brief the diplomats of the different countries in Dhaka on the latest political situation of Bangladesh after the January 5 poll was boycotted.

BDST: 1830 HRS, JAN 16, 2014
Edited by: M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor