US urges 'calm' and 'restraint' in Bangladesh after premier flees country

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Monday urged "calm" and "restraint" in Bangladesh and called on all parties to refrain from further violence after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country following violent nationwide protests.

"We have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Hasina resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully. The United States stands with the people of Bangladesh," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

"We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. Too many lives have been lost over the course of the past several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead," he added.

Miller said the US welcomes the announcement of an interim government, and urged any transition be done in accordance with Bangladesh's laws.

He also said the US is "deeply" saddened about the reports of human rights abuses, deaths, and injuries in recent weeks.

Miller said Bangladeshi people have a right to peacefully assemble, and the US opposes any kind of violent crackdown.

"We have seen the reports that the army resisted calls to crack down on the protesters, and if those reports are true, certainly, that is something that we would encourage," he added.

Bangladesh military chief Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman on Monday announced plans for a transitional government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country due to violent nationwide protests.

Hundreds of people were killed and wounded during the protests since July, which first called for the abolition of quotas in government jobs and later the resignation of Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years.

The 76-year-old is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding leader.​​​​​​​