Staff Correspondent: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Dhaka today on a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid.
President Hamid received the Palestinian President near the VVIP Tarmac of Hazarat Shahjalal International Airport amid a 21-gun salute, while President Hamid's two grandson and granddaughter - Namira and Jim - presented him a bouquet.
A special flight carrying Abbas and his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5 pm.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam were, among others, present at the airport.
The Palestinian President was taken to Hotel Le Meridien Dhaka on the Airport Road through a ceremonial motorcade where he will be staying during the visit.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Reyad Al Malki, Chief Justice of Palestine and the Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud al-Habbas, Palestinian Authority Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Majdi al-Khalidi and senior military and civil officials are accompany the Palestinian President.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali will meet Palestinian President Abbas at his hotel at 7 pm on Wednesday, according to his programme schedule.
Abbas will visit Savar National Martyr's Monument and pay respect to the martyrs of the Liberation War at 1:50 pm to 2:10 pm on Thursday. He will plant a sapling and sign the visitors' book there.
Then he will visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi from 2:50 pm to 3:15pm on Thursday.
President Abbas will have official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister's Office from 15:45 pm to 4:30 pm on the same day before having one-to-one meeting for 15 minutes.
Both sides will discuss bilateral, regional and international issues at the meetings.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on formation of a joint commission at foreign minister level is likely to be signed, Foreign Ministry officials said.