DHAKA - Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Friday congratulated new Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on his swearing-in following the retirement of premier Dr Mahathir Mohamed after 22 years.

"Your succession to the post of the Prime Minister and also as the leader of the nation is a clear manifestation of trust and confidence of the people of Malaysia in your able leadership," Zia said in a message to Abdullah carried by the official BSS news agency.

She said she believed the warm ties between the two Muslim countries would be further consolidated.

Abdullah, 63, took the oath of office to become Malaysia's fifth prime minister since independence from Britain in 1957 as Mahathir, 77, followed through on a pledge to retire first made 16 months ago.

Separate message

In a separate message, Zia also bade a farewell to Mahathir, saying: "The world community and the Muslim Ummah (community) will always remember your seminal contribution to the cause of maintaining peace and strengthening the bond of friendship, fraternity and uplift of the Muslim Ummah."

Bangladesh is world's third largest Muslim country and both Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur are members of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Conference, which recently held its 10th summit in Malaysia. - AFP