Bangladesh unrest: President orders release of jailed ex-PM Khaleda Zia, student leaders

Bangladesh PresidentMohammed Shahabuddin on Monday (Aug 5) orderedthe release of jailed former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, 78, hours after her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina was ousted and the military took over.

In a statement, PresidentShahabuddin's press team said thatthat a meeting led by Shahabuddin had "decided unanimously to freeBangladeshNationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately."

Zia is reported to be in poor condition,and confined to hospital after she was sentenced to 17 years in prison for graft in 2018.

After holding discussions with the chiefs of Army, Navy, Air Force, leaders of political parties, and members of civil society, President Shahabuddin decided to form an interim government to run the country following Hasina'sresignation, saida press release signed by Assistant Press Secretary of Bangabhaban, Muhammad Shiplu Zaman.

Here's a look atthe latest updates from the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh

President Mohammed Shahabuddin also approved the release of all students who were recently arrested during the ongoing quota reform movement.

The meeting adopted a condolence motion expressing profound shock at the deaths of students and others during the anti-quota movement.

The Army has been tasked with stopping the vandalism and ensuring law enforcement, which deteriorated severely after Hasina fled on Monday afternoon,as several houses and places of worship for Hindus and other minority religions have been torched across the country.

Interim govt to be formed in Bangladesh

Hasina resigned as PMas thousands of student protesters demanding Hasina's resignationroamed the streets of Dhaka and later stormed her residence and other key buildings.

She arrived in India and would be leaving for London, according to reports. Hasina is seeking asylum in UK. Her sister Sheikh Rehana has UK citizenship.

Confirming her resignation, Army Chief GeneralWaker-uz-Zaman said that an interim government would be formed soon in the country.

"Let's work towards a better future. Every killing will be probed. I met the leaders of all political parties. We had a healthy discussion. We would form an interim government. PM has stepped down. Please have patience, give us some time," General Zaman said.

Hasina had sought to quell nationwide protests against her government since early July but she fled the country after brutal unrest on Sunday, in which nearly 100 people were killed.

Curfew to end on Tuesday

In the latest news from the situation in Bangladesh, the military saidit would lift a curfew imposed to quash protests at dawn Tuesday.

"Offices, factories, schools, colleges... will be open" from6:00amTuesday (0000 GMT), the military said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)