Dhaka- A United Nations assessment team wrapping up a seven-day mission in Dhaka on Saturday said the chances for a smooth electoral transition to democracy in Bangladesh next month were "positive."

"Things are looking positive. There is no reason to doubt the cooperation from the political parties, caretaker government, electoral commission. Bangladesh will have a good election," said Francesc Vendrell, the head of three-member UN panel, at a press conference assessing Bangladesh's preparedness for the December 29 polls.

Dhaka  - Authorities in Bangladesh launched Friday a three- year-long celebration of 400 years of Dhaka, historically recognised as the country's capital since 1608, calling for measures to make the life in the crowded city of 12 million more liveable.

"A meaningful scheme is urgently needed ... as rapid population growth and unplanned urbanisation have hampered the pace and liveliness of our beloved city," the chief of the military-backed government, Fakhruddin Ahmed, said inaugurating the celebration programme at the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad [national parliament] premises.

Fakhruddin released four pigeons and 400 paper balloons into the sky and inaugurated four postage stamps marking the occasion.

Dhaka - Bangladesh on Thursday condemned the overnight terrorist attacks in India's financial capital of Mumbai that left 101 people dead and 287 injured.

"I condemn it as a mindless act of terror," Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, foreign affairs adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, said in a statement that denounced the carnage in the neighbouring country. "I wish to underscore that terror can serve no purpose."

Dhaka - Bangladesh's military-backed government Tuesday said it would completely lift the state of emergency ahead of the stalled parliamentary polls deferred to December 29.

"No elections will be held under emergency. The government will lift the state of emergency at a reasonable time," Hossain Zilliur Rahman, a key adviser to the interim administration, told reporters after a meeting of the panel of advisers negotiating political parties for a credible election.

Army Chief Moeen U Ahmed, also announced that he would request the government to end nearly two years of emergency rule ahead of the general elections.

Dhaka - A Bangladeshi court Monday asked the government to justify its state of emergency that allows fundamental civil rights to be suspended.

A High Court panel is reviewing a citizens' petition seeking a constitutional ruling on the emergency powers, court officials said.

Civil and political rights in Bangladesh have been suspended since a state of emergency was promulgated in January 2007 in the wake of political turmoil centring on the country's ninth parliamentary elections.

Dhaka - Bangladesh's election authorities have began fresh talks with major political groups to seek a consensus on changing the December election date, officials said Saturday.

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda was expected to meet leaders of the Awami League-led alliance to discuss their main rival's call to move the poll date from December 18 to December 28.

The leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance on Friday demanded the new election, as well as lifting the state of emergency and a review of electoral laws that allow election authorities to cancel candidacies.