Those who have sent messages of felicitations include Indonesian President Dr H Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.

Pope Benedict XIV, the governor general of New Zealand and the president of Senegal have also sent greeting messages.

In their messages, the heads of state and government of Muslim countries prayed to the Almighty Allah for continued peace and prosperity of Bangladesh as well as the welfare of the brotherly people of the country.

They also wished for grater unity, cooperation and cordial relations among the Muslim Ummah.

On the occasion of the happy New Year, the world leaders extended their best wishes and heartfelt congratulations to the president and the people of Bangladesh.

US President George Bush, in a message to President Iajuddin, extended his greetings on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Azha and the happy New Year.

Diplomats from different countries and representatives of various international organisations also expressed their best wishes to President Iajuddin Ahmed.