Bangkok - Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday addressed a crowd of more than 60,000 supporters in a phoned-in call in which he said only a "royal pardon" or "people's power" could bring him back to Thailand.

On October 21 the Supreme Court for Political Office Holders sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail for abusing his power as prime minister in 2003 by allowing his wife to purchase a plot of land at a government auction.

Dhaka - The United Nations wants Bangladesh hold a credible parliamentary election next month for a peaceful transition to democracy, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Saturday.

"I have expressed my sincere wish that this parliamentary election will be held in a more fair and objective and credible way that Bangladesh can have very smooth and peaceful transition to democracy," the UN chief told reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

He hoped that Dhaka's leadership in the government and political parties will cooperate in the matter.

Riyadh  - British Prime

New Delhi, Nov 1 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) staged a demonstration in New Delhi on Saturday protesting against the serial blasts that rocked Assam on October 30 leaving over 70 people dead.

The VHP activists blamed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for its failure to contain the militant attacks in the country.

Sao Paulo  - Fernando Alonso was fastest in the final practice session ahead of qualifying later Saturday for Sunday's Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix.

The Renault driver clocked a time of 1 minute 12.141 seconds in for the 4.309-kilometres lap at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes was second fastest, 0.071 seconds slower than Alonso, with McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen third quickest.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa, Hamilton's world championship rival, was fourth quickest on the circuit.