ZCZC
BSS-53
HASAN-OFF-PARIS-LEAD
Hasan off to Paris to attend funeral of Jacques Chirac
DHAKA, Sept 29, 2019 (BSS)-Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud left here for Paris tonight to attend the funeral of former French President Jacques Chirac, a towering figure in France’s politics for three decades.
“The information minister has left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7.40pm by a flight of Qatar Airways,” said an official release.
Dr Hasan Mahmud will attend the funeral of Jacques Chirac tomorrow morning as a representative of Bangladesh at the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the release added.
Jacques Chirac died at the age of 86 on September 26.
The centre-right Chirac rose to prominence as mayor of Paris before becoming the prime minister and then serving as head of state from 1995-2007.
His time at the Elysee saw France advance on European integration and, in a landmark moment for relations with Washington, loudly oppose the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Dr Hasan is expected to return home on Wednesday, the release added.
BSS/PSB/KU/2045hrs