Dhaka, July 2 -- The United States on Wednesday said they fully support the work planned by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to build consensus around reform and to pave the way for free and fair elections early next year.

The US, during a celebration of U.S. Independence Day in Dhaka in the evening, reiterated its strong support for the ongoing reform initiatives led by the interim government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus.

Speaking at the event, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those involved in the student-led popular uprising of July-August last year, calling it a "foundation for the historic work we are witnessing now to rebuild the state ...