By DPA
Dhaka : Bangladesh’s Army chief General Moeen U. Ahmed has said the prevailing situation in the country has not reached a stage that the military needs to take over and run the government, a private television channel reported Thursday.
General Moeen also told Channel-I television in an exclusive interview that he harboured no ambition of becoming the president of the country or the executive head of government.
The interview was telecast amid speculations in the media that the army chief could become the president or the executive head of the caretaker government, which has been hit by labour unrest, university protests and escalating food prices.
“In the modern era nobody likes military rule or martial law,” Moeen said, adding that he strongly believed that through united efforts a credible election would be held by the end of this year as declared by the Election Commission.
Moeen discounted all rumours of a military takeover saying that the armed forces were always looking for ways to assist the civilian administration overcome crises.
President Iajuddin Ahmed appointed an interim neutral government headed by a former central bank governor a year ago after a standoff between two ex-prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia triggered street riots and shut down businesses.
Iajuddin also clamped a state of emergency, curbing constitutional rights as special forces launched an anti-corruption campaign.
Analysts said Moyeen played a crucial role by backing the caretaker government in its efforts to quell violence.