Dhaka, May 10 -- Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a one-hour ultimatum to outlaw the Awami League as a political party.

Speaking at a "mass" gathering at Dhaka's Shahbagh at 7:30pm on Saturday, he said: "Interim [government], ban the Awami League. I'm giving you one hour.

"If the announcement doesn't come within this hour, we will take control of the area near InterContinental Dhaka hotel to Banglamotor."

He added, "We are not retreating anymore. We will leave the streets only after the Awami League is banned. We will announce even tougher programmes."

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council of the interim government has began at the chief advisor's residence shortly afte...