At least four people have died in fresh clashes in Bangladesh, amid a row over who will run a caretaker government.
At least four people have died in fresh clashes in Bangladesh, amid a row over who will run a caretaker government to oversee elections in January.
Hundreds of people were injured as police fired teargas to disperse opposition demonstrators in Dhaka.
Hundreds of people were injured as police fired teargas to disperse opposition demonstrators in Dhaka.
Several people were killed in nationwide riots on Friday - when Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's term ended.
Government and opposition officials have been meeting President Iajuddin Ahmed to try to resolve the crisis.
Ex-Chief Justice KM Hasan should have been sworn in on Saturday as interim prime minister pending elections, but officials said he was too ill.
They pledged to find a replacement for the man who had been named as interim head of government after he withdrew.
The swearing-in of the caretaker cabinet was cancelled amid controversy over his appointment.
A presidential spokesman said the nominated interim PM, ex-Chief Justice KM Hasan, had declined the post.
The opposition Awami League had already made clear it would not accept Mr Hasan - whom it described as supporter of the governing Bangladesh National Party and a stooge of the government.
We will bring the country to a state of collapse Opposition MP Mirza Azam The opposition Awami League had already made clear it would not accept Mr Hasan - whom it described as a supporter of the governing Bangladesh National Party and a stooge of the government.
We will bring the country to a state of collapse Opposition MP Mirza Azam Bangladesh's figurehead President Iazuddin Ahmed held talks with representatives from both sides on Saturday.
Outgoing PM Khaleda Zia, whose mandate expired at midnight, could stay in office as a caretaker for up to 15 days if the two sides fail to reach agreement on a new interim leader.
They agreed to try to find a compromise candidate for interim prime minister by late Sunday.
Bombs
Bombs
The opposition Awami League and its allies have threatened to paralyse the country if Mr Hasan takes office. Police have responded with teargas and rubber bullets.
The opposition Awami League and its allies had threatened to paralyse the country if Mr Hasan took office. Police responded by using with teargas and rubber bullets to disperse their demonstrations.
Saturday's unrest included explosions and gunfire in the capital Dhaka. The latest deaths bring to at least nine the number of people killed since Friday.
Saturday's unrest included explosions and gunfire in the capital Dhaka. The latest deaths bring to at least nine the number of people killed since Friday.
Khaleda Zia said the transfer of power will go ahead
Khaleda Zia said the transfer of power will go ahead
Roads have been blocked and outbreaks of violence have been reported in other parts of the country.
Roads have been blocked and outbreaks of violence have been reported in other parts of the country.
Opposition MP Mirza Azam told supporters on Friday: "KM Hasan takes the responsibility as the chief of a caretaker government, right from that moment we will bring the country to a state of collapse."
Under Bangladesh's unique system, when an administration comes to the end of its term, it hands over to an unelected interim government which has 90 days to organise elections.
Under Bangladesh's unique system, when an administration comes to the end of its term, it hands over to an unelected interim government which has 90 days to organise elections.
The opposition has been demanding a say in choosing the "chief adviser", as the interim prime minister is known.
The opposition has been demanding a say in choosing the "chief adviser", as the interim prime minister is known.
Mrs Zia's mandate expired at midnight on Friday. She appealed for calm as the fresh wave of violence hit the country.
Mrs Zia appealed for calm as the fresh wave of violence hit the country.
She promised the poll would be free and fair, and said the constitution would "safeguard a peace-loving and responsible nation".
She promised the poll would be free and fair, and said the constitution would "safeguard a peace-loving and responsible nation".
Not on speaking terms
Not on speaking terms
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Dhaka says Bangladeshi politics is especially bitter because of the personal rivalry between Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Mrs Zia.
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Dhaka says Bangladeshi politics is especially bitter because of the personal rivalry between Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Mrs Zia.
They have led the country in alternate terms since 1991 but have not spoken for years.
They have led the country in alternate terms since 1991 but have not spoken for years.
Parliament has been boycotted regularly by whichever party is in opposition, and a culture of street demonstrations has developed.
Parliament has been boycotted regularly by whichever party is in opposition, and a culture of street demonstrations has developed.
The BNP is calling for its supporters to be ready to take on opposition activists.
The BNP is calling for its supporters to be ready to take on opposition activists.
Our correspondent says that there will be little the 25,000 police and security personnel deployed in the capital, Dhaka, can do as the powerful political parties try to enforce their dominance of the streets.
Our correspondent says that there will be little the 25,000 police and security personnel deployed in the capital, Dhaka, can do as the powerful political parties try to enforce their dominance of the streets.
With the elections not expected to take place until January, months of disruption lie ahead, our correspondent adds.
With the elections not expected to take place until January, months of disruption could lie ahead, our correspondent adds.
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Are you in Bangladesh? Have you witnessed any of the violence? Send us your experiences and comments using the form below:
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