Bangladesh has welcomed the current peace process in the Middle East co-sponsored by the United States and Russia for resolving the region's longstanding problem, reports UNB.

A Foreign Office spokesman said yesterday Bangladesh has consistently supported a comprehensive solution to the Middle East problem of which the core issue was the Inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people.

"We are closely monitoring the present developments In the Middle East, including the accord reportedly reached between the PLO and Israel," said the spokesman when asked to • comment on the Issue.

He said. “We believe that this will be an Important first step leading towards a Just, comprehensive and durable solution of the Middle East problem, which should Inter alia lead to the Israeli withdrawal from Al-Quds Al-Sharlf and all occupied Palestinian and Arab territo-

The dramatic developments In the Middle East are seen here as a significant move towards resolving the 100-year-old PLO-Israel conflicts.

Bangladesh, which has been playing an active role In all forums for the establishment of PLO state and liberation of the occupied territories, is a member of the Al-Quds Al Sharif Committee empowered with the responsibility to work out plans to force Israel to vacate the occupied regions.

Observers here feel that with the resolution of the core Issues of the conflicts Hke self-determination of the Palestinians and a sovereign and independent Palestinian State will bring about durable peace In the region

The peace process Is likely to lead to an autonomy for PLO in the Gaza Strip and Jericho tn the West Bank of the Jordan river. It will be preceded by declarations of mutual recognition by the Israel and the PLO.

Most of the Arab countries, directly concerned with the problems, have already supported the peace process which will bring about a fundamental change in the political scenario of the Middle East.

The Organisation of Islamic

Conference (OIC) which has been fighting for the liberation of the occupied territories including the holy city of Jerusalem and reestablishment of the PLO state has endorsed the Palestinian Autonomy Plan.

Palestine is a region of the eastern Mediterranean, comprising parts of Israel. Jordan and Egypt Palestine with 150 miles tn length and 80 miles in wide, formed a part of high hedge of Arabian Plateu.

It is bordered by the Mediterranean in the west and the Arabian desert In the east, the Dead Sea to the south and Lebanon to the north. Till 1831, it was under the Turkish empire.

In between December, 1947 and January 1949, several lakhs of Palestinians were evicted from their homeland to give accommodation to the Jewish Immigrants.

The Arab summit in 1964 formed the PLO that launched the struggle for regaining the Palestinian state.

Israel occupied the west bank of the Jordan river including Jerusalem. Golan Heights of Syria and a vast area of Egypt in 1967.

The Security Council adopted a resolution calling for resettlement of the Palestinians In their homeland in 1975.

In 1977, Kurt Waldheim, the then Secretary General of the United Nations, announced a plan of Mini Palestinian State comprising the west bank and the Gaza Strin