Dr Yunus pledges to rapidly advance Bangladesh's progess   

Nobel laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, who is set to take charge as the head of the interim government in Bangladesh, has said the new government ensure that the newly reborn Bangladesh advances rapidly.

He said: "Today is a day of pride for us. The revolution that has given birth to a new Victory Day for Bangladesh must be carried forward and strengthened. I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the youth who made this possible. They stood by me, they have protected this country, and they have given it a rebirth."

Dr Yunus was speaking at a press briefing at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after his arrival.

He also said restoring law and order is priority. "I urge the people of the country to trust in me, to have faith in me, and that no harm will come to anyone in the country."

During his speech, with a voice choked with emotion, he said: "Today, I am reminded of Abu Sayed (a student from Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur who was killed in a shooting). He was an unbelievingly brave young man. Abu Sayed's name is etched in the hearts of every person in this country. Through this incident, a second independence has come to the nation."

At this point, Prof Yunus broke down in tears.

He will be sworn in on Thursday night by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan welcomed Prof Yunus upon his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Before leaving Paris, where he had been attending the Olympics, Prof Yunus appealed for calm in Bangladesh amid tensions over the country’s future.

Dr Yunus was named as interim leader following talks among military officials, civic leaders and the student activists who led the uprising against Hasina.