Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead Bangladesh's interim government
Muhammad Yunus, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, has been named the head of Bangladesh's provisional government. This comes after the previous prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned amid a major student-led rebellion against her rule. Joynal Abedin, President Mohammed Shahabuddin's press secretary, made the announcement, saying that political parties and other pertinent organizations would be consulted before deciding on Yunus's government's makeup.
On Tuesday night, President Shahabuddin held extensive discussions with leaders of the student protests, military heads, civil society representatives, and business figures to determine the leadership of the new interim administration. The students had proposed Yunus, an 83-year-old microfinance innovator, for the role, and he is expected to return from Paris soon to assume his position.
Following the decision, student leaders departed the presidential residence after midnight, expressing satisfaction with the outcome. Nahid Islam, one of the student leaders, described the talks as "fruitful" and noted that President Shahabuddin had committed to forming the interim government as swiftly as possible.
Following the violent protests that resulted in Hasina's removal, President Shahabuddin also replaced the national police head. This action is a component of the national stabilization measures and the protesters' demands being met.