BANGLADESH:Troops took up positions throughout Bangladesh yesterday after the government ordered their deployment to ensure a peaceful run-up to elections next month.
President Iajuddin Ahmed ordered the deployment on Saturday amid a deterioration of public order and threats by a multi-party alliance led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, head of the Awami League, to besiege the president's palace.
In a televised speech to the nation late yesterday, Mr Iajuddin said the army had been engaged to help the civil administration to maintain law and order.
"I call upon the people to extend all-out co-operation to the army so that they can fulfil their task," he said. "I hope political parties will put the country ahead of everything and will participate in the coming election, solving disputes through negotiation." In the capital Dhaka, soldiers entered the presidential compound and other locations, including the university campus.