Dhaka - A Dhaka court Monday acquitted Bangladesh's former military dictator Hussein Muhammad Ershad of graft charges brought more than 16 years ago involving a shady deal in setting up digital telephone networks in rural areas.

Divisional Court Special Judge Md Golam Mortuza announced the verdict clearing the former president and three of his co-accused of corruption charges, court officials said.

"Finally, I got justice after so many years," an apparently happy Ersahd, who had earlier served a prison term in other corruption cases, told newsmen after the verdict was pronounced.

Dhaka  - A three-day annual Islamic congregation concluded Sunday in Bangladesh with more than 3 million people praying for global peace and prosperity, officials said.

An Islamic scholar from India led the concluding prayer at Biswa Ijtema, the second-largest Muslim gathering after the hajj, in Tongi, some 35 kilometres north of the capital Dhaka.

On the final day, the crowd exceeded the boundaries of the 5-square kilometre venue as tens of thousands of people travelled overnight on overcrowded buses and trains from across the country to join the concluding prayer.

Dhaka - The US government Saturday welcomed a Bangladesh proposal to prosecute war crimes committed during its 1971 liberation war.

"The trials of war criminals are being held in different countries and Bangladesh has to decide on the matter after taking experiences from those countries," US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty said, two days after the Bangladesh parliament adopted a resolution seeking trial of the war criminals.

Moriarty said it was an internal matter for the government and the people of Bangladesh to decide.

Dhaka- The newly elected National Parliament is to chose Bangladesh's next president on February 16, a government announcement said Thursday.

According to the election schedule, February 8 was set for the submission of nomination papers for the ceremonial post in the prime minister-dominated parliamentary democracy.

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda discussed the election schedule with Speaker of Parliament Abdul Hamid before it was finalized.

Dhaka - Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni Tuesday reaffirmed the country's "one China policy" in an effort to further boost Sino-Bangladesh relations and cooperation.

"Bangladesh's one China policy remained unimpaired as it was in the past; and the same will remain in force in the future," Foreign Minister Bidu Moni said in a meeting with Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, Zheng Qingdian.

Moni is part of the new administration of Sheikh Hasina Wazed. The Awami League-led alliance government took office in early January following last month's peaceful elections, ending nearly two years of military-backed government.

Dhaka - The United Nation (UN) Monday expressed concern about the post-elections human rights situation in Bangladesh as violence escalated after the polls, leaving as many as 20 people killed in less than a month's time.

"Still any violation of human rights is not a good sign. So, we do have some concern on that and we hope that it will improve in the future," Renata Lok Dessallien, UNDP resident representative told reporters after a meeting with foreign minister Dipu Moni.