13 World Leaders Invited to New Govt Swearing-In

Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban

Thirteen foreign leaders have been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government, led by Tarique Rahman, scheduled for Tuesday.

Chief Adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus extended the invitations to heads of government from several countries, including China, India and Pakistan, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Sources said the decision to invite the foreign leaders followed consultations between the interim administration and the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which secured a decisive victory in the 13th national parliamentary election.

Other invited countries reportedly include Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan.

The ceremony will take place at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier, the BNP-led alliance won more than two-thirds of the seats in the parliamentary polls held on 12 February, paving the way for the formation of a new government.

Newly elected lawmakers will also take oath on Tuesday morning, administered by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, according to officials from the interim government, the law ministry and BNP.