Khalilur Rahman's indication of fulfilling two responsibilities at the same time

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. Khalilur Rahman. Since then, the question is, will he be relieved of the responsibility of the ministry?

However, Khalilur Rahman has indicated to fulfill both duties at the same time. Responding to a question from reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (June 4), he said, “Should I give up this (foreign minister's) responsibility? Is that the question? Don't be in such a hurry. There is a precedent for this (holding two responsibilities at the same time).”

Before Khalilur Rahman, former foreign minister Humayun Rashid was elected as the first Bangladeshi President of UNGA in 1986-87 term. Citing his example, Khalilur Rahman said, “I was his private secretary and worked with him. He fulfilled both duties full-time.”

He hinted last month that he may take a year off to pursue full-time duties without resigning. Asked whether he would resign if elected UNGA president at an informal dialogue held at the United Nations in New York on May 13, Khalilur Rahman said, “Will I resign? No. The Prime Minister (Tareeq Rahman) has told me very clearly that he will give me a year's leave to serve full-time. Resignation is not the only option. I can take leave.”

Earlier on Tuesday in the election held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, he defeated the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Andreas S. Kakoris by 8 votes and was elected to this position for one year. A total of 190 votes were cast in the election. Khalilur Rahman got 99 votes and Andreas S Kakoris got 91 votes.

After being elected UNGA president, he returned home early Tuesday morning and was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.