Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country, the army chief has said, following weeks of deadly protests.
In an address to the nation on Monday, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said that an interim government will now run the country.
According to a report, Hasina, who had ruled the country for two decades, The 76-year-old, fled the country by helicopter, a source close to the leader told local news agency shortly after protesters had stormed her palace in Dhaka.
The source said she left first by motorcade but was then flown out, without giving her destination.
The resignation comes after 300 people have died amid weeks of protest the authorities have sought to crush. Following a night of deadly violence that killed close to 100 on Sunday, tension had remained high on Monday as protesters called for a march on Dhaka and the army prepared to address the nation.
By early afternoon, however, the media reported that the mood on the streets had turned to one of celebration after the news of Hasina’s departure spread.
The army chief urged citizens to keep trust in the army, which, he said, would return peace to the country.
“We will also ensure that justice is served for every death and crime that occurred during the protests,” he said, calling on the public to exercise patience and cease any acts of violence and vandalism.
“We have invited representatives from all major political parties, and they have accepted our invitation and committed to collaborating with us,” the general added.
