Bangladesh: We will not establish relations with Israel

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad has denied reports which spoke about his country's determination to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. He stressed his country's commitment to its unwavering stances towards the cause of Palestine and the occupied Arab lands on the grounds of the need for Tel Aviv's commitment to relevant international resolutions.

In a statement to the Saudi daily Okaz published on Thursday, the Bangladeshi foreign minister said his country did not sign any peace agreement with Israel and, "We do not have the intention to establish relations with Israel."

He added that what had been quoted by the media on Bangladesh's intention to establish relations with Israel is absolutely "untrue."

He said, "We are with the Arab and Islamic consensus which demands the restoration of the occupied Arab territories to the Arab nation including holy Jerusalem. We call on Israel to abide by all international resolutions issued in this respect."