<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Bangladesh has conveyed its concerns over possible instability in the region to diplomats stationed in Dhaka – briefing them over the current situation in bordering areas with Myanmar.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The diplomats have appreciated Bangladesh’s position of not stepping into Myanmar’s traps by maintaining peace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khorshed Alam spoke to reporters at State guesthouse Padma, following the briefing with diplomats.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The briefing lasted for around 30 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The diplomats assured Bangladesh of conveying its concerns to their capitals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Responding to a question regarding Myanmar blaming Arakan Army and ARSA for mortar shells landing in Bangladesh, the acting foreign secretary said the Myanmar side always makes the same claims.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We sought their (diplomats) help so that Myanmar can’t take advantage of creating instability in the region,” said the acting foreign secretary.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier on Monday, acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Rtd) Md. Khorshed Alam briefed the heads of missions from Southeast Asian countries and apprised them of the prevailing situation at Bangladesh-Myanmar border.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The envoys took note of Bangladesh’s concerns and ensured of duly conveying those to their respective capitals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The acting foreign secretary conveyed Bangladesh’s deep concerns on the recent incidents of mortar shells from Myanmar falling and exploding inside Bangladesh territory, indiscriminate aerial firings, human fatalities and serious injuries, damages to the properties and livelihood of the people in the bordering areas to the ASEAN envoys.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No diplomat representing Myanmar was at the briefing but diplomats from other ASEAN countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – were present.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Director General (South East Asia wing) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Najmul Huda was also present. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>