Ban Ki-moon hints at taking more peacekeepers from Bangladesh

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed the hope that the forthcoming parliamentary elections would be held in most fair, objective and credible ways so that Bangladesh can have very smooth and peaceful transition to full democracy, reports UNB.
Ban praised Bangladesh's role in the UN peacekeeping as the country emerged the second-largest troop contributor. He hoped Dhaka would further contribute to world peace and stability by dispatching more troops.
Presently, Bangladesh contributes 9,000 soldiers to the UN peacekeeping mission.
He was talking to the media after his meeting with Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at Hotel Sonargaon Saturday evening.
The UN chief executive, who will hold meetings with the President, the Chief Adviser and leaders of two major parties-BNP and Awami League--today (Sunday), said he is convinced that the government and the political parties would have closer cooperation in this matter.
He also hoped that the people and the government of Bangladesh would make progress not only in socioeconomic but also in political field.
He expressed satisfaction to see "very strong partnership" maintained between Bangladesh and the United Nations, particularly in the field of the peacekeeping operations.
Ban, who also came to Bangladesh back in 1970, said he was very impressed to see all changed.
He said he had a very good meeting with the Foreign Adviser with whom he had worked for several years in the United Nations. Iftekhar told the news agency that they also discussed the adverse impact of climate change on Bangladesh and food security.
Earlier, Ban Ki-moon arrived in Bangladesh Saturday on a two-day official visit.
He landed in Dhaka shortly before 6pm from the Indian capital after concluding a two-day tour there.
Ban, the fourth UN chief to visit Bangladesh, will meet the leaders of the BNP and the Awami League today (Sunday) to discuss the country's return to democracy through the Dec 18 election.