Alternative security for ambassadors to be discussed this or next week: FS

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said the government will share information on alternative security services that the Ansar can provide with diplomatic missions in Dhaka either tomorrow or Sunday.

"We have discussed in detail about the modalities. They (Ansar) have shared information about their capabilities. We have got a kind of idea in which format we will convey to foreign missions," he told reporters after a meeting with Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General AKM Aminul Haque on Wednesday (May 17, 2023), reports UNB.

The foreign secretary said they will inform the missions in a note verbal on Sunday, if not possible by tomorrow.

Ansar stands ready to provide the services if missions want, he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the foreign secretary said the government will offer the services of the Ansar – a paramilitary auxiliary force – to the foreign missions in Dhaka as alternatives, as the withdrawal of "additional security escort" for four diplomats came into effect.

The Foreign Secretary held a meeting with the director general of the Ansar on Wednesday to know about the facilities they can offer and build a connection with those missions who are willing to take this service.

The Foreign Secretary said the government is aware of the responsibilities as a host country under the Vienna Convention and regular security measures for foreign missions and their personnel remain unchanged.