Bangladesh's army chief pledges support for interim government

He will help it complete key reforms so that polls can be held within the next 18 months

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DHAKA - Bangladesh's army chief vowed to back the country's interim government "come what may", to help it complete key reforms after the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina so that elections could be held within the next 18 months.

General Waker-uz-Zaman and his troops stood aside in early August amid raging student-led protests against Ms Hasina, sealing the fate of the veteran politician who resigned after 15 years in power and fled to neighbouring India.

In a rare media interview, Gen Zaman told Reuters at his office in the capital Dhaka on Sept 23 that the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus had his full support, and outlined a pathway to rid the military of political influence.

"I will stand beside him, come what may, so that he can accomplish his mission," Gen Zaman said.