Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned after weeks of deadly anti-government protests, putting an end to more than two decades at the top of the country’s politics.
Ms Hasina, 76, fled the country, reportedly landing in India on Monday. Jubilant crowds took to the streets to celebrate the news, with some storming the prime ministerial palace, reportedly looting and vandalising parts of her former residence.
Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said the military would begin talks on forming an interim government.
Hours after Ms Hasina’s resignation, President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia.
In a televised address on Monday afternoon, Waker-uz-Zaman said an interim government would be formed. He added that he would meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin and was hoping that a « solution » would be found by the end of the day.
The army chief said he had already spoken to the country’s opposition political parties, but did not make clear who would head the new government. He urged Bangladeshis to trust the army, adding that « all killings, all injustice » would be « examined ».
