DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Bangladesh's new interim leader consolidated his power Sunday by taking over the two agencies that control the army, police and paramilitary security forces. The move by acting leader Fakhruddin Ahmed to take control of the Interior Ministry and Election Commission came days after the president declared a state of emergency in an attempt to quell weeks of deadly unrest over upcoming elections.
| Sounds like he's planning to stay awhile. |
Ahmed was appointed Friday after President Iajuddin Ahmed stepped down as leader of a caretaker government. Iajuddin Ahmed retained his title of president, a largely ceremonial position.
More than 4,000 people were detained after the state of emergency was announced, including 1,518 people arrested since Saturday evening, the Interior Ministry said.
| Yup, he's going to be around for some time. Slow-motion coup. |
Fakhruddin Ahmed met with acting Chief Election Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman on Sunday to make fresh election plans in the impoverished country. Politicians have demanded that the ballot, which the president had postponed from its original Jan. 22 date, be held as soon as possible. "We have planned to sit with leaders of all political parties to discuss ways on how we can proceed further," said the commission's secretary, Abdur Rashid Sarker. |