Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead Bangladesh’s interim government

Dhaka:

Bangladeshi microfinance pioneer Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been chosen to lead an interim government following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country’s presidency announced on Wednesday.

The decision to “form an interim government with Yunus as head” was taken at a meeting between President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military leaders and heads of the Students Against Discrimination group, Shahabuddin’s press office said.

Nahid Islam, leader of the student group, confirmed the decision to reporters after three hours of talks at the presidential palace.

“The president called on the people to help overcome the crisis. The rapid formation of an interim government is necessary to overcome the crisis,” Shahabuddin’s office said in a statement.

Shahabuddin also fired the national police chief following deadly protests that prompted Hasina’s departure and appointed a replacement, his office said.

Islam called the negotiations “fruitful” and said Shahabuddin agreed that the interim government “will be formed in the shortest time” possible.

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