Dhaka: The United States yesterday  (Nov 14, 2006)backed the efforts of caretaker government headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed to end the political stand-off Bangladesh by initiating talks with the protesting Awami League-led 14-party alliance and other parties.

"It is a commendable move by the caretaker government which I hope will help resolve the political impasse and help hold a free, fair and peaceful election," US envoy to Dhaka Patricia Butenis told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Butenis held talks with Finance Adviser Akbar Ali Khan, who heads the four-member team negotiating with striking parties to end the standoff over election commission reforms.

While reiterating US' support to the caretaker government, she said Washington was hopeful the advisors would be able to clinch a solution.

The council advisors yesterday held talks with Sheikh Hasina Wajed's Awami League-led 14-party alliance leaders besides holding parleys with Jatiya Party faction of former dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad and Liberal Democratic Party headed by ex-president Badruddoza Chowdhury to find a solution to the issue.

They are scheduled to sit with leaders of the four-party alliance led by Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The opposition alliance including League and the LDP want Chief Election Commissioner Justice M A Aziz out, with Jatiya Party faction too having reservation alleging that the CEC is biased towards the BNP party. Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party wants Aziz to stay.

At least one person had died and hundreds were injured as the agitation led by opposition parties over demand for electoral reforms entered third day today.