Dhaka, Dec. 30 -- Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, on Tuesday called for national unity following the death of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, describing the period as "difficult" for the country.

In an address to the nation, Yunus expressed profound grief over Khaleda Zia's passing, calling her "a great guardian" and "a truly illustrious and distinguished personality in the political history of Bangladesh."

"In this moment of national grief, I earnestly call upon you all to pray to Almighty Allah, from your respective positions, for the forgiveness of the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia. At the same time, during this difficult period for the...