The adviser was speaking at a working lunch he hosted in honour of the envoys of the Islamic countries yesterday at the State Guest House Padma.

He thanked all the envoys for their support to the activities of the caretaker government saying, "We value your encouragement".

Iftekhar expressed total solidarity with the Palestinians for a state of their own with Jerusalem as the capital.

He hoped that the new unity government of Hamas and Al Fatah would be able to take the issue closer to resolution.

The adviser lauded the recent successful efforts of the Saudi King in that end to the creation of the government.

"The Ummah is grateful to the Protector of the two holy shrines for that initiative," he said.

Iftekhar said he would represent Bangladesh at the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers' (ICFM) Meeting in Islamabad in May. "Bangladesh is looking forward to participate in it effectively."

He hoped that the outcome of the Islamabad Conference would lead to greater cohesion politically, economically, and socially among the Islamic countries.

The adviser also hoped that there would be increasing trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and all other Islamic countries. "We owe it to our peoples, who have so much in common," he said.

The luncheon was attended by the OIC Ambassadors in Dhaka and also by the non-resident envoys of Muslim countries, who were here to attend the Independence Day celebrations.

Saudi Ambassador Abdullah M Al-Obaid Al-Namlah thanked the adviser and the Bangladesh government for the assurances of friendship and cooperation and reiterated the enthusiastic support of the Muslim countries for Bangladesh and for its government.