Dhaka - Bangladesh's government on Thursday described last week's mutiny at the headquarters of its border guards as a plot against the nascent democracy of the South Asian country.

"It was a big conspiracy against democracy," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed said. "It is presumed initially that the mutiny was staged to put the democratically elected government in danger and cause embarrassment for it."

Dhaka - Police on Monday cleared Bangladesh's prime minister-in-waiting Sheikh Hasina Wazed of an extortion charge brought by a businessman eight months ago, officials said.

Police said investigators found no evidence that Hasina, the head of the Awami League, extorted 440,000 dollars from businessman Tazul Islam Faruk, who lodged the case with police in April.

"We submitted a report detailing the investigation to the court for its consideration," said a police inspector of Tejgaon police station.

Dhaka - Bangladesh's prime minister-elect Sheikh Hasina Wazed said Wednesday she hoped her new cabinet would be sworn in to office within the first week of the New Year.

"I hope the oath taking ceremony will take place within the first week of January after President's invitation to do so," Hasina told reporters after a meeting with President Iajuddin Ahmed at the presidential Bangabhaban palace in the evening.

Dhaka  - Bangladesh's prime minister-elect Sheikh Hasina Wazed Wednesday called upon all political parties to join hands in her fight against poverty, which she called the highest priority for the impoverished South Asian nation.

"Poverty is the number one enemy of the country. We need a united effort to fight the enemy," said the 61-year old leader said in her first press conference since winning a landslide in Monday's polls.

Dhaka - Bangladesh's prime minister-elect Sheikh Hasina Wazed said Wednesday her government would work toward forming a regional task force to fight terrorism in South Asia.

"We will initiate the move to form a South Asian task force to ensure peace combating terrorism," Hasina told a crowded press conference in Dhaka, the first since her Awami League-led alliance won a landslide victory in Monday's elections.

"Progress is impossible without ensuring peace," Hasina said.