Thursday, August 25 2005 18:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: All South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries have reaffirmed participation in the 13th summit of the regional grouping here this November despite the recent explosions that rocked Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Morshed Khan said yesterday (Aug 24, 2005).

All member-states are very keen to see the summit take place as scheduled on November 12-13," he said. The member countries conveyed their willingness through diplomatic channels after the August 17 blasts that killed two people and injured hundreds across Bangladesh, he told the private UNB news agency.

The 13th summit of the seven-member South Asian Association for Regional grouping has been postponed twice. Besides Bangladesh the other members are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.

As part of tight security measures during the summit, government has decided to deploy 12,000 security personnel in Dhaka city alone, foreign affairs advisor Reaz Rahman said. Khan, who attended an appraisal meeting at the Foreign Ministry on the preparation for hosting the summit, said he was happy to see the progress. "I have no doubt in my mind that the Dhaka summit will be very successful".

Khan said that the government has made unprecedented security arrangements for the smooth holding of the summit, providing foolproof security for all heads of state and government officials. Rahman, who is also the chief coordinator of the much-awaited summit, said all 10 sub-committees were already constituted as part of preparations for the meet. Five sub-committees would ensure security along the border, in the capital and VVIPs, he said.