Dhaka, Nov. 29 -- Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has called for a political solution to the Rohingya crisis allowing them to return to their places of origin in Rakhine State "freely and safely".

"There should be a political solution," said the former UN chief who made a brief two-day visit on November 22-23, the second visit to Bangladesh this year, after leaving the United Nations.

Ban appreciated Bangladesh's role for sheltering over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar camps and sought continued support for Rohingyas from UN agencies, humanitarian organisations and other non-government organisations.

He said he is very much grateful for the humanitarian support and assistance extended by Bangladesh people and government to...