Illustrative photo from open sources
At least 109 people have died as a result of unrest in Bangladesh on Monday, news agencies report, citing local law enforcement and health authorities, the Voice of America reports.
The protests intensified after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country. Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqer-uz-Zaman said after her resignation that the country would be ruled by an interim government.
Waqer-uz-Zaman is expected to meet student protest leaders on August 6. Protesters said early Tuesday that they want Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus to be the chief adviser to the interim government.
Yunus' spokesman said the Nobel laureate had agreed to serve as an adviser to the interim government and would return to Bangladesh after a minor medical procedure in France.
The United States called for a democratic and inclusive process to form an interim government. "We call on all parties to refrain from further violence and restore peace as soon as possible", — The White House said on Monday, August 5.
The U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh has advised Americans against travel to the country amid unrest. The State Department on Monday ordered non-essential U.S. government employees and their dependents to leave the capital, Dhaka.
Violent clashes have erupted in Dhaka, its surrounding areas, and across the country, and the military has been deployed across the country. Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport temporarily suspended operations on Aug. 5.
Protests began in late June when students demanded an end to a quota system for government jobs. Peaceful demonstrations later turned violent after protesters clashed with police and pro-government activists at Dhaka University.
Government efforts to suppress the demonstrations by force have fueled further outrage. Over 300 people were killed in the clashes, and protesters demanded that the prime minister resign.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga