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Bangladesh president to become PM Bangladesh president becomes PM
(30 minutes later)
Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed has said he will become caretaker prime minister after the main political parties failed to agree a candidate. Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed has been sworn in as caretaker prime minister after the main political parties failed to agree a candidate.
Under the electoral laws, a neutral figure is due to take over ahead of elections in January, to ensure fairness in the campaign. Installed in a televised ceremony at his office, he is charged with ensuring fairness in January's elections.
The announcement came after Mr Ahmed held separate talks with party leaders.
He has been trying to solve a political crisis that has led to the deaths of 18 people in two days of rioting.He has been trying to solve a political crisis that has led to the deaths of 18 people in two days of rioting.
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Dhaka says his decision to take the job himself without opposition approval is the last constitutional option available, and could trigger more protests. His decision to take the job without opposition backing is said to be the last constitutional option available.
But there are fears that the move could trigger more protests.
A former professor of soil science, he is in his seventies and had a heart bypass operation five months ago.A former professor of soil science, he is in his seventies and had a heart bypass operation five months ago.
'Government stooge''Government stooge'
The violence began after the opposition objected to the nomination of ex-Chief Justice KM Hasan to head an interim administration. Violent protests began in Bangladesh on Friday after the opposition objected to the nomination of ex-Chief Justice KM Hasan to head an interim administration.
The opposition Awami League accused him of being a stooge of the government, sent supporters on to the streets and threatened to paralyse the country.The opposition Awami League accused him of being a stooge of the government, sent supporters on to the streets and threatened to paralyse the country.
On Saturday Mr Hasan pulled out just before he was due to be sworn in.On Saturday Mr Hasan pulled out just before he was due to be sworn in.
The opposition also rejected Mr Ahmed's candidature on the basis that he was too close to outgoing Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's party, and the president urged parties to find a replacement by Sunday afternoon.The opposition also rejected Mr Ahmed's candidature on the basis that he was too close to outgoing Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's party, and the president urged parties to find a replacement by Sunday afternoon.
Mr Ahmed then held separate talks with party leaders, but failed to reach agreement on a compromise candidate.
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.
Our correspondent says Bangladeshi politics is especially bitter because of the personal rivalry between Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League and Mrs Zia.Our correspondent 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.