Dhaka, Oct. 18 -- State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has underlined the need for sustained dialogue to defuse the conflict in West Asia.

He spoke as head of the Bangladesh delegation at the 52nd session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Iraq's Baghdad on Saturday, according to foreign ministry.

The gathering carries added weight as the crisis in West Asia erodes global peace and stability and jolts energy supply chains.

Humaiun called for an end to Israeli brutality against Palestinians, women and children among them, and for an independent, sovereign Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders.

He also urged OIC member states and the wider international community to take act...