Dhaka: The chief of Bangladesh's army, which is virtually ruling the country by proxy, has said that the military will not continue in its current role for long.

"We won't stay long, but initiate good works, though on a small scale, to be carried on in the future," General Moeen U Ahmed was quoted as saying by private UNB news agency.

Ahmed was speaking at the opening of an army-financed small dairy farm in northern Sherpur yesterday. "Bangladesh has lots of resources. If those can be used properly, there will be no poverty," he said.

The army chief's comments came as the chief adviser of the interim government Fakhruddin Ahmed last week reiterated that preparation were on to stage the next general elections by the end of 2008 after gradually relaxing the emergency rules.

The current government was installed with crucial army support following the January 11,2007 proclamation of state of emergency in the wake of political turmoil.

The army chief has earlier ruled out any military takeover and asserted that the troops will go back to the barracks whenever they are asked by the government.

Source : PTI