Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Takes Helm as Bangladesh's Interim Leader

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has welcomed the appointment of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the new interim leader of Bangladesh following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Six lawmakers are urging the US Treasury Secretary to impose sanctions on officials responsible for violent actions against protestors.

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Friday welcomed the swearing-in of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government in Bangladesh following the sudden resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"The United States supports his call for calm and peace and remains committed to working with Bangladesh as it charts a democratic and prosperous future for the people of Bangladesh," Blinken wrote on X.

"I welcome the swearing-in of Dr. Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim government in Bangladesh," he said.

Meanwhile, six lawmakers wrote to the Treasury Secretary, urging sanctions against officials of the former government responsible for violence against student protestors.

"Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, now leading Bangladesh's interim government, urgently called on world leaders to end the violence against protestors in Bangladesh. Former Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan urged the government to cease engaging its armed forces in a "disgraceful campaign." While Hasina has resigned and fled the country, senior leaders of the Awami League have faced no consequences for their gross violations of human rights," the lawmakers wrote.

"US sanctions on Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion have decreased extrajudicial killings, but they are insufficient given current realities. We urge you to respond strongly to the Awami League's violations by using all applicable authorities to impose targeted sanctions on General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan. US law requires action in the face of gross violations of human rights," they wrote to Yellen.

Yunus, 84, took the oath as the head of the interim government, replacing Sheikh Hasina, who abruptly resigned and fled to India amid deadly protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.

Yunus was administered the oath of office by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at a ceremony at the presidential palace 'Bangabhaban'. A 16-member council of advisers was announced to assist Yunus in running state affairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)