'Army has no political role'

The chief adviser of B'desh interim administration says army does not have any political role in the Emergency-ruled country.

The chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim administration has said the army did not have any political role in the Emergency-ruled country despite their crucial role in the functioning of the government.

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"I don't feel the existence of any dual rule" on part of the army, Fakhruddin Ahmed told BBC radio in an interview on Friday night.

"The army is assisting the civil government and playing an important role in fighting corruption, improving law and order, carrying out the succour campaign for flood victims (but) I don't see their political role through these activities," he said.

Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed had earlier repeatedly said the military had no ambition to grab power despite "temptations" and it was just assisting the interim government.

"Army is assisting the non-party caretaker government (of Chief Adviser) Fakhruddin Ahmed as a subordinate government body (and) it has no plan to promulgate martial law," he told newsmen two months ago.

Ahmed, who has pledged to stage the next general election by the end of 2008, said the reasons that had necessitated imposition of an Emergency still existed, but added that Emergency would be lifted "at an appropriate time".