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No end to Bangladesh poll crisis Bangladesh rivals stage rallies
(about 8 hours later)
There is uncertainty in Bangladesh despite the president's efforts to end the political crisis over who should lead the country to elections. Both main parties in Bangladesh are holding rallies in Dhaka following violence over the week-end which led to the deaths of nearly 20 people.
Iajuddin Ahmed was sworn in as head of an interim government after the main political parties failed to agree a candidate on Sunday. Police in the south-west of the country say that one person was killed and around 70 injured in fresh clashes.
The new caretaker government, led by President Iajuddin Ahmed, has met the opposition leader as he tries to put together a new administration.
The opposition has been refusing to recognise him as interim leader.
Main priority
Monday's rallies have so far been trouble-free.
The BBC's Waliur Rahman in Dhaka says that tension in the capital is slowly easing, with traffic returning to the streets.
Rallies stages by both parties have been peaceful
Our correspondent says that the main priority facing President Ahmed is to appoint a panel of 10 advisers to help him ahead of the elections in January and take charge of key ministries.
Correspondents say that Awami League Sheikh Hasina was expected to ask the president to remove Chief Election Commissioner MA Aziz and his deputies during the course of her meeting with him on Monday.
The opposition accuses them of being biased towards the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The president is due to hold a separate meeting with the BNP leader Khaleda Zia.
'Zero tolerance'
One more person died on Monday - in the south-western district of Satkhira - as a result of political violence over the week-end, raising the number of people killed in political violence this week to 19.
Many more are reported to have been injured.
Mr Ahmed's priority will be to appoint 10 advisors
The country's police chief, Anwarul Iqbal, said the police have been alerted countrywide to avoid any further violence.
"We are following a policy of zero tolerance. Police have been asked to take action if anyone tries to disrupt law and order," he told the BBC.
Mr Ahmed was sworn in as head of an interim government after the main political parties failed to agree a candidate on Sunday.
He is charged with ensuring fairness in January's elections.He is charged with ensuring fairness in January's elections.
He has been trying to solve a political crisis that has led to the deaths of 18 people in two days of rioting.
His decision to take the job without opposition backing is said to be the last constitutional option available.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.But there are fears that the move could trigger more protests.
The opposition Awami League failed to attend Mr Ahmed swearing in ceremony and called on the president to prove he was truly neutral. The opposition Awami League failed to attend Mr Ahmed's swearing in ceremony and called on the president to prove he was truly neutral.
Protests 'to continue'Protests 'to continue'
It had already rejected Mr Ahmed's candidature on Saturday, on the basis that he was too close to outgoing Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's party. It had already rejected Mr Ahmed's candidature on Saturday, on the basis that he was too close to the BNP.
The Awami League wants him to carry out electoral reforms demanded by the opposition, but a BBC analyst says Mr Ahmed is also under tremendous pressure to remain loyal to the governing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that nominated him for the presidency. Violence hit Bangladesh on Friday and Saturday
A former professor of soil science, Mr Ahmed 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.
He will continue to perform his duties as president.He will continue to perform his duties as president.
After the announcement that Mr Ahmed was taking on the role, which is known as chief adviser, the BBC's Roland Buerk in Dhaka said the capital's near-deserted streets filled with screaming sirens as motorcades carrying dignitaries headed to his palace. Violent protests began in Bangladesh on Friday after the opposition objected to the nomination of ex-Chief Justice KM Hasan to head the interim administration.
Unrest dominates press
Violent protests began in Bangladesh on Friday after the opposition objected to the nomination of ex-Chief Justice KM after the opposition objected to the nomination of ex-Chief Justice KM Hasan to head the interim administration.
The Awami League accused him of being a stooge of the government, sent supporters on to the streets and threatened to paralyse the country.The 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 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.
Correspondents say Bangladeshi politics is especially bitter because of the personal rivalry between Ms Hasina Mrs Zia.
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.