Dhaka: A red carpet was rolled out as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived here on Wednesday 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 5:00pm.

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 1:50pm to 2:10pm on Thursday. He will plant a sapling and sign the visitors’ book there.

Then he will visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi from 2:50pm to 3:15pm on Thursday.

President Abbas will have official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office from 15:45pm to 4:30pm 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.

President Abbas will sign visitors’ book at the PMO, too.

Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushan Ershad will meet President Abbas at his hotel on Thursday afternoon.

President Abbas who had made a stopover in Dhaka in February last year will meet his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid at 7:00pm on Thursday at Bangabhaban.

He will attend banquet preceded by cultural programme hosted by President Hamid in honour of the Palestinian President.

The Palestinian President will sign the visitors’ book at the Bangabhaban.

President Abbas will leave Dhaka at 2:00pm on February 3. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will see him off at the airport.