Dhaka  - A three-day annual Islamic congregation concluded Sunday in Bangladesh with more than 3 million people praying for global peace and prosperity, officials said.

An Islamic scholar from India led the concluding prayer at Biswa Ijtema, the second-largest Muslim gathering after the hajj, in Tongi, some 35 kilometres north of the capital Dhaka.

On the final day, the crowd exceeded the boundaries of the 5-square kilometre venue as tens of thousands of people travelled overnight on overcrowded buses and trains from across the country to join the concluding prayer.

Dhaka - The US government Saturday welcomed a Bangladesh proposal to prosecute war crimes committed during its 1971 liberation war.

"The trials of war criminals are being held in different countries and Bangladesh has to decide on the matter after taking experiences from those countries," US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty said, two days after the Bangladesh parliament adopted a resolution seeking trial of the war criminals.

Moriarty said it was an internal matter for the government and the people of Bangladesh to decide.

Dhaka- The US government Saturday welcomed a Bangladesh proposal to prosecute war crimes committed during its 1971 liberation war.

"The trials of war criminals are being held in different countries and Bangladesh has to decide on the matter after taking experiences from those countries," US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty said, two days after the Bangladesh parliament adopted a resolution seeking trial of the war criminals.

Moriarty said it was an internal matter for the government and the people of Bangladesh to decide.

Dhaka - Authorities in Bangladesh beefed up security as more than 2 million people from home and abroad gathered for an annual Islamic festival near the capital, officials said Saturday.

A senior policeman said as many as 11,000 officers were deployed in and around the Biswa Ijtema, the second-largest Muslim gathering after the hajj.

Internationally acclaimed Muslim leaders have been delivering sermons since the three-day meeting began Friday at a site covering 5 square kilometres in Tongi, 35 kilometres north of Dhaka.

New Delhi, Jan. 30 : Largely insulated from the global financial meltdown, both the nations should come together to strengthen their economies.

The newly elected Bangladesh Government holds India as a strategic partner in its development endeavour. Trade between India and Bangladesh is yet to achieve desirable volumes. Towards achieving advantageous trade figures, both the nations need to diversify trade with active industry participation. Both the nations have to decouple politics and trade, said Rajeev Kher, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Jakarta - Indonesia said Friday that it would deport 193 Rohingya boat people but was seeking assurances from Myanmar and Bangladesh that they would not be harmed when returned.

The Muslim Rohingyas, who were rescued January 7 from the sea off Aceh province, have pleaded to the Indonesian government not to send them back, saying they faced persecution in Myanmar.