PM seeks UK help to forge anti-terror force.................

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has sought British help in forging an anti-terror task force in South Asia.

She also urged nations including the UK to take initiatives to stop killings in Gaza, the PM's press secretary said on Saturday.

"Terrorism, having no borders, poses a big challenge to all countries which must make concerted move to defeat the common foe," Abul Kalam Azad quoted the PM as saying to British high commissioner Steven Evans.

"We seek British help in forming a South Asian anti-terrorism taskforce and also ask all nations and the UK to help stop the Israeli killings in Gaza," the prime minister said.

In an hour-long meeting at Hasina's Sudha Sadan residence, Hasina and Evans discussed issues of mutual interest including strengthening bilateral ties and economic cooperation, said the press aide.

"The prime minister welcomed British interest in increasing investment in Bangladesh and assured of all-out help to investors," said Azad.

They also discussed British assistance in Bangladesh's development and poverty alleviation efforts and materialisation of the government's Vision-2021.

Climate change adaptation was another topic, he said.

The press secretary said the PM asked for the UK government's help in ensuring the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates in Britain and in training the young bloods in her cabinet.

The high commissioner responded positively, the press secretary said.

Emerging from the meeting Steven Evans told reporters that the UK was happy at Bangladesh's democratic transition and British help towards the country's overall development would continue.

"The UK government wants to see Bangladesh as a developed nation in 2021, marking the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence."

He said the British government would help Bangladesh in achieving sustainable development and transformation into a middle-income country.

The British high commissioner, on behalf of the UK government and premier Gordon Brown, congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her sweeping victory in the Dec 29 election and on her second term as prime minister.