Wednesday, February 2 2005 14:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Bangladesh is optimistic of holding the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) summit on February 6-7 and is deploying 40,000 security personnel in various areas in the capital which are likely to be visited by the leaders of the seven nation grouping.

The summit appeared uncertain due to developments in Nepal but Bangladesh the Foreign Ministry spokesman said that King Gyanendra would lead his country's delegation for the meet.

Nepalese Ambassador in Dhaka Bhagirat Barnet went to the residence of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan late last night (Feb 1, 2005) to confirm Kathmandu's participation in the summit.

The spokesperson said Nepal's foreign secretary is scheduled to arrive today (Feb 2, 2005) on schedule, while the new Foreign Minister would also be here on time.

India's security concerns have also been a worry as special team arrived yesterday from New Delhi to assess the situation before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flew into Dhaka on the weekend.

"We are bringing in additional 10,000 police for the summit to ensure a smooth holding of the SAARC summit," said State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar.

Already 30,000 security personnel have been deployed in Dhaka for the summit.

Security alert has been placed in all the venues the leaders of the seven South Asian countries would go.

The summit was postponed after three of the seven SAARC member nations were hit by the tsunami disaster that left nearly 300,000 people dead.

Bangladesh said it has completed all formalities to host the summit, which returns to the place of its birth, the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, after 20 years.