BANGLADESH

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh is in favour of an independent Palestine state.

"Bangladesh is always beside Palestine. We've always supported Palestine and we will," she told a press call on Saturday at Bangladesh's permanent mission at the United Nations (UN) in New York.

Her remarks came following Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas submitting his nation's application for full UN membership on Sept 23 during the 66th UN General Assembly.

"If there's a vote, Bangladesh will vote for Palestine," Hasina said at the briefing right after her speech at the assembly on Sept 24.

Foreign minister Dipu Moni, health minister A F M Ruhal Haque, foreign secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, mission representative Abdul Momen accompanied Hasina during the press briefing where local and Bangladeshi journalists were invited.

The prime minister shared the experience of her visit and talked about the country's current condition.

Hasina arrived in the United States on Sept 18 on an 11-day visit to join the UN session.

She met with her counterparts of several countries and joined seminars and discussions during the Sept 18-28 visit.