Bangladesh army chief Gen Moeen rules out take over

Dhaka, Jan 16 (UNI) Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed has said no such situation has arisen in the country that warrants army takeover of power.

''Moreover, it is not correct to do it. In the modern world, none will accept martial law. We also think that everyone should perform one's respective duty,'' he said in an interview with private television telecast today.

General Moeen, whose force is backing the present caretaker government, also dispelled speculations that he would become President or chief executive of the country.

''Since January 11 last year, you have seen all are thinking as if I was going to be the President, Chief Advisor or Chief Executive.

But nothing has happened till now'', he said.

However, he said his desire is to see how the army could help the country.

Asked about holding general election by December 2008, the Army Chief said he does not see any obstruction to it. Rather, he said, if all work together the election could be possible even before December.

On holding trial of war criminals of the country's independence war in 1971, he said the war criminals should be tried. He wondered why the trial could not take place in last 36 years and why previous governments did not do it.

UNI XC NY RAI2333