UNB:

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, on Friday said the United Nations has a crucial role in supporting the Prof Muhammad Yunus-led transition government until a national election is announced in the coming months.

“The United Nations has a very important role in supporting this transition government,” she told reporters after a meeting with a BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.

She said they are meeting all of the stakeholders, all of the parties involved, and all of the civil society organisations to begin conversations about how the UN can support Bangladesh along the path for looking at a new investigation on what happened, how to reconcile, and advancing on the development priorities in the country and of course supporting until the new transition government can announce elections in the coming months.

“So, this is an important moment for consultation and dialogue, and again we are always calling for calm,” the UN official said.

She said it has been extraordinary what has happened in the country over the last few days.

“We all have a responsibility for calm and peace on the streets,” Lewis said.

She said all also have the responsibility to stop violence to continue to build an incredible Bangladesh and to continue the economic development. “We all need to work together closely…”

About the meeting, the UN  official said she came to meet the BNP leaders as a transition government was announced on Thursday night under the leadership of Dr Yunus.