The authorities however remained tight-lipped about the visit because of security reasons.

"We are not in a position to confirm any high-level visit at this time," an official of the US Embassy told The Daily Star.

Rumsfeld's visit coincides with a countrywide 24-hour hartal called by the main opposition Awami League on Saturday.

The visit by the defence secretary will be the second by a top US official after the Iraq war. Secretary of State Colin Powell made a brief stopover in Dhaka in June last year, two months after the war ended.

"As long as Pentagon does not officially announce Rumsfeld's Dhaka visit, it is not possible to confirm anything about it," a foreign ministry source said requesting anonymity.

"We are expecting his visit to Dhaka as part of his Asian trip. But the schedule has not been finalised yet and it can be changed any time," he added.

Sources said during his visit, Rumsfeld will hold talks with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan. The discussions will focus mainly on mobilisation of troops from Muslim-majority countries in Iraq under the UN umbrella after the interim Iraqi government takes over on June 30.

Rumsfeld also might discuss activities of Islamic extremist groups operating inside Bangladesh and their possible links to international terrorist groups, the sources said.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca also took up the issue during her recent visit to Bangladesh.

An advance team to help ensure the US secretary's security arrives in the capital tomorrow.

Rumsfeld's entourage will include his personal and defence attaches but details could not be known as yet.

He is also likely to meet the press after his talks with the prime minister and foreign minister.

Rumsfeld is due to leave Dhaka early Sunday morning.