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Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who has returned to Dhaka to take charge of the interim government, says Bangladesh will move forward on the path of ‘rebirth’ laid down by student protesters.
He also called for an end to the chaos and unrest that had rocked the country after Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was ousted by a mass anti-government movement.
“If you have trust in me, if you believe you can rely on me, then don’t attack anyone in the country,” Yunus said.
“And if you listen to me, then there is no more need for it. We must protect the country from unrest. We must protect the country from violence. In this way we can continue to follow the path laid down by students.”
The protesters have given the country ‘independence’, he said.
“I express all my appreciation and gratitude to the youth community who have made this possible. They saved this country. They have allowed the country to be reborn.
“Let this reborn Bangladesh progress rapidly. That is the oath we take. We want to protect it and we want to move forward.”
The former Grameen Bank chief arrived at Shahjalal International Airport on board an Emirates flight from Dubai around 2:10 pm on Thursday, bdnews24.com reports.
He was greeted by Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief of Bangladesh Army, Air Force chief Air Marshal Hassan Mahmood Khan, and Navy chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan at the airport's VIP lounge.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the platform that spearheaded the mass movement that forced out prime minister Hasina after more than 15 years in power, recommended Yunus to lead the interim government that is set to take charge.
After meeting with politicians, students, members of civil society, and the heads of the armed forces, President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed him.
Army chief Gen Waker said on Sunday that there may be 15 advisers in this interim government. They will take their oaths of office at the Bangabhaban on Thursday at 8:00 pm.
During the recent weeks of unrest, Yunus was in Paris to attend the Olympics.
A labour appellate court on Wednesday overturned his six-month sentence in a case over violations of the labour law under the previous government.
Yunus left Paris for Dhaka on Wednesday night Bangladesh time to take charge of the interim government.
He will first go to the Yunus Centre in Mirpur from the airport. He will be escorted there under military security. The student protesters plan to welcome him as they stand on both sides of the road.