They said the stature of Arafat's leadership could only be matched with that of Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

The memorial discussion was organised by Jatiya Oikya Mancha at the Liberation War Museum in the city with its president Dr Kamal Hossain in the chair.

Dr Kamal said there was a deep-rooted affinity between Arafat's struggle for an independent Palestine and the War of Liberation of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause at the Islamic Conference in Lahore in 1974, he added.

"Arafat's leadership had a global stature," said journalist Ataus Samad adding, "In the wake of his death, the Western media appeared hesitant in showing due respect to him."

"Inspired by the ideals of Arab nationalism, Arafat dreamt of an independent and secular Palestinian state," said Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, general secretary of Gonoforum.

Former student leader Mostafa Mohsin Montu said Arafat was one of the few world leaders who became an ideal and source of inspiration for the freedom fighters of Bangladesh.

Prof Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, former foreign secretary Abul Hasan, Organising Secretary of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh Mahi B Chowdhury, Oikya Mancha leader Ajoy Roy and President of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal Khalequzzaman Bhuiyan also spoke.