The newly appointed ambassador of Sudan, Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman, said this while presenting his credentials to President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban yesterday.

Iajuddin said Bangladesh is committed to promoting international peace, cooperation and security on the basis of mutual respect and peaceful resolution of all disputes through dialogue.

He told the ambassador that the "Saarc Summit will be held on November 12-13 next".

He hoped that Bangladesh and Sudan should increase the trade volume. He requested the Sudanese government through the ambassador to open their mission in Dhaka and invited Sudanese investment in Bangladesh.

Welcoming ambassador Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman, based in Islamabad and concurrently accredited to Dhaka, President mentioned a cordial bilateral relation existing between the two countries and reiterated determination to further consolidate and develop relations with Sudan.

He conveyed his regards and compliments to Sudanese President Omar Hasan Ahmed El Bashir. He expressed his deepest shock at the sudden demise of Sudanese Vice President John Garang in a tragic helicopter crash.

The ambassador appreciated the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Sudan and said Sudanese people are "very pleased and they have affection for Bangladeshi peacekeepers".

He also said that peacekeeping forces can stay there for six more years.

The envoy conveyed invitation from the Sudanese President to Iajuddin to visit the African country at a convenient time.

On his arrival at Bangabhaban, the ambassador was given guard of honour by the President's Guard Regiment.

Foreign Secretary Hemayet Uddin and Secretary to the President Abu Solaiman Chowdhury were present on the occasion.