DHAKA: Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is set to lead Bangladesh’s interim government following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and flight from the country amid a major student-led uprising against her administration.
The announcement was made early Wednesday by Joynal Abedin, press secretary to President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Abedin noted that the selection of other members of Yunus’s government would be determined after consultations with political parties and other relevant groups.
On Tuesday night, President Shahabuddin held a lengthy meeting with the leaders of the student protests, the heads of the military divisions, civil society representatives, and some business figures to discuss the new interim administration’s leadership.
The students had suggested Yunus for the role, and the 83-year-old microfinance innovator is reportedly expected to return from Paris soon.
Following the decision, student leaders left the presidential residence after midnight, expressing their satisfaction with the outcome.
Nahid Islam, a student leader, described the discussions as “fruitful” and mentioned that Shahabuddin had committed to forming the interim government as quickly as possible.
Additionally, Shahabuddin dismissed the national police chief and appointed a new one in response to the violent protests that led to Hasina’s exit.
(Inputs from agencies)
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