US closely monitoring B'desh, formation of democratic interim govt: NSC

The United States is monitoring the Bangladesh situation "closely" and urges that the formation of an interim government there be democratic and inclusive after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country, according to a White House National Security Council spokesperson.

Bangladesh descended into chaos on Tuesday as Prime Minister Hasina fled the country in a military aircraft while the army stepped in to fill the power vacuum after days of anti-government protests that have killed more than 300 people.

"We are monitoring the situation in Bangladesh closely," a White House National Security Council spokesperson said here on Tuesday.

"The United States has long called for respecting democratic rights in Bangladesh, and we urge that the interim government formation be democratic and inclusive," the spokesperson said.

With volatile crowds taking to the streets in Dhaka, Bangladesh Army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that the 76-year-old prime minister has ...