Delivering statement at the UN General Assembly on Monday, Foreign Minister M Moshed Khan emphasised that all exports from LDCs must be given duty-free and quota-free market access to ensure the economic growth necessary to eradicate poverty.

He called for resumption of the Doha Development Round to ensure special and differential treatment for the LDCs.

The foreign minister stressed the need for liberalising free movement of labour and cited studies that showed that a modest commitment under GATS mode IV would offer substantial welfare gains for both developing and developed countries.

On the issue of terrorism, Morshed reiterated Bangladesh's stand against terrorism, saying that it is professed and carried out by a handful few and the victims are the vast majority of innocent men, women and children.

He informed the UN General Assembly that the BNP government passed tough laws to punish the terrorists whom Prime Minister Khaleda Zia dubbed repeatedly as "enemies of Islam, democracy, development, humanity, the people and the country'.

The foreign minister highlighted the economic achievements of the government, stating that "after maintaining a growth rate of nearly 6 percent for the last five years, we expect a growth rate of 6.7 percent this fiscal year.

He also informed that the present government would complete its tenure towards the end of next month and would hand over power to a neutral caretaker government in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

Earlier, Morshed attended the OIC ministerial meeting, which addressed a range of issues concerning the Islamic world. He condemned in unequivocal term the recent Israeli aggression in Lebanon.

The foreign minister said the international community should not merely remain focused on acts and outcomes of terrorism. "It must also address its root causes, including the political and social injustices perpetrated against many communities worldwide," he said.

On the sidelines of UNGA, Italy's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Vittorio Craxi and Guatemala's Foreign Minister Gert Rosenthal met Morshed Khan and discussed bilateral issues.

The Guatemalan foreign minister sought Bangladesh's support for their candidature for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.