DHAKA: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie Blair arrived in Dhaka on Friday afternoon on a three-day private trip.
 
Wishing anonymity, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said a special aircraft carrying the Blair couple touched down at the tarmac of Shahjalal International Airport at around 3:30pm.

Government’s special envoy (Ambassador at Large) Mohammad Zia Uddin, Foreign Secretary Md. Mizarul Quayes and British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Stephen Evans welcomed them at the airport.

The guests drove to the residence of the British High Commissioner from the airport. They will stay there during their Bangladesh visit.
 
During the tour, Tony Blair will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni.

Tony and Cherie are expected to join a meeting and a dinner with Dipu Moni on Friday evening at the Foreign Office.

They will meet Bangladesh Primer Sheikh Hasina on Saturday morning at Ganobhaban and meet with Muhith at his official residence ‘Tonmoy’ at about 4pm.

Besides, Cherie Blair will join a function of the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chittagong.

They will leave Dhaka for home on Sunday morning.

BDST 1721 HRS AUG 20, 2010