President Md Shahabuddin, the chiefs of the three armed forces, and the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at a crucial meeting at Bangabhaban have unanimously decided to form an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus.

Earlier in the evening, a 13-member team of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement entered Bangabhaban to hold a meeting with President Md Shahabuddin and the heads of Army, Navy and Air Force.

Following the meeting, Nahid Islam and Dr Asif Nazrul addressed the media in the presence of other coordinators in front of Bangabhaban.

Nahid said, “We have submitted a preliminary list of the members of the interim government. The president will finalize the list after consulting with political parties.”

“We expect that the interim government will be announced within the next 24 hours (from 12:15 am Wednesday),” he added.

When asked about the tenure of the interim government, Dr Asif Nazrul said, “The duration of the government has not been determined yet.”

Meanwhile, Dr Yunus, who is currently abroad for medical treatment, is expected to return to the country within a day or two.

Nahid said, “Dr. Muhammad Yunus has undergone a minor surgery abroad. He will return home tomorrow (Wednesday) or the day after tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, a press release sent by the Bangabhaban Press Wing said that the representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement proposed forming an interim government led by Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

President Md Shahabuddin agreed with their proposal, read the press release

The president said that the country is going through a critical period and that forming an interim government as soon as possible is essential to overcoming the crisis.

He suggested that the members of the advisory council be finalized through discussions with political parties and recommended including a freedom fighter in the interim government.

The president also called on the people of the country to cooperate in overcoming the crisis.