Bangladesh opposition hails move to end political impasse

Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia has welcomed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's call for a dialogue to end the ongoing political impasse.

"We would welcome any initiative of dialogue which paves the way for holding an inclusive election under a non-party government," Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) spokesman Salauddin Ahmed said in a statement Sunday.

Politicians, academics, jurists and former bureaucrats have urged President Abdul Hamid to hold a national dialogue to resolve the current political crisis in the country, Xinhua reported Monday.

The group of eminent citizens recently sent letters to Hamid, Hasina and Zia, asking them to hold talks to end the political crisis that has reportedly led to the deaths of 70 people since Jan 5.

The BNP and its allies have enforced a non-stop nationwide blockade since Jan 6, demanding fresh parliament polls under a non-party caretaker government system.