Dhaka (dpa) – Bangladesh is to honor more than 120 institutions and individuals, including the Red Cross and the United Nations refugee agency, for their help during its liberation war from Pakistan 41 years ago, an official said Saturday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed would formally hand over crests and citations to these “friends” at an independence day reception in Dhaka on Monday, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told reporters. Among those offered awards were the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 45 groups based in India. Only 75 of the 129 invitees have confirmed their participation, according to Moni. “We have decided to honor our friends who had stood by us and contributed a lot to achieve our liberty from Pakistan,” Moni said. Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan in 1971, triggering a nine-month war in which the Indian military intervened to help the Bangladeshis. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/iaUw5 Tags: Bangladesh, Red Cross, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, UN Section: Latest News, South Asia