New Delhi: Bangladesh's main Opposition alliance on Monday announced it was lifting a countrywide protest previously declared as indefinite.
The announcement came after Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League, held talks with the President Iajuddin Ahmed.
He is now also the interim Prime Minister to oversee elections in 2007.
But the Opposition has threatened a new agitation starting November 3 if its demands are not met, which include installation of a neutral administration and removal of the Chief Election Commissioner M A Aziz.
Meanwhile, on Monday Opposition activists continued to blockade highways linking Dhaka with the rest of the country. Sporadic clashes were reported from other parts of the country.
Some vehicles returned on the streets of the capital but most offices and businesses were closed.
Khaleda's BNP said its supporters would take to the streets now "in full force" to counter Awami-led protesters.
"We have been pushed to the end of our patience. Now we will act tit-for-tat in case anyone tries to take us on," Khaleda's elder son and BNP joint secretary-general Tareque Rahman said late on Sunday.
Political analysts say it is too early to judge whether the president would be able to satisfy the opposition and become a symbol of national unity and trust.
Debapriyo Bhattacharya, from a leading economic and political think-tank, said the Awami League should try to cooperate with the president to help him ensure a credible election.
"It is time for looking forward. The main concern now is how to hold a free and impartial election. Opposition, too, has a role in building mutual trust," he said.
With Agency inputs
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