UN report on Al-Qaeda may be AL propaganda: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said a recent UN report on Al-Qaeda’s alleged efforts to establish a cell in Bangladesh may be part of propaganda by the Awami League.

She made the remarks on Tuesday (18 August) while speaking to journalists at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka.

Shama Obaed said Bangladesh would seek details from the UN regarding the report.

“There is no specific information or evidence with the Foreign Ministry regarding the UN report that Al-Qaeda has initiated efforts to establish a cell in Bangladesh,” she said.

As there is no such information available to the Foreign Ministry, there is nothing to comment on the matter at this stage, she added.

The Home Ministry is scrutinising the issue, the state minister said.

Asked whether Dhaka would seek the basis of the report from the UN, Shama Obaed said the Foreign Minister is currently serving as the President of the UN General Assembly and would discuss the matter with the concerned UN authorities.