Bangladesh president orders ex-PM Khaleda Zia's release

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of former Prime Minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, following the ousting of her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina and the military's takeover of power.

The president's press team issued a statement saying that a meeting chaired by Shahabuddin had "unanimously decided to release Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately."

The meeting was attended by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, along with the heads of the navy and air force, as well as top leaders from several opposition parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami party.

"The meeting also decided to release all individuals arrested during the student protests," the statement further mentioned.

Earlier, General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation on state television, announcing that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and that the military would establish a caretaker government.

"The meeting decided to form an interim government immediately," the statement added.

Sheikh Hasina had faced nationwide protests against her government since early July. Following severe unrest on Sunday, which resulted in nearly 100 fatalities, she fled the country.