"I didn't say Bangladesh is a moderate Muslim country...Bangladesh is a moderate country with Muslim majority," he said at Zia International Airport before flying for home to join his new assignment at the State Department after a two-year stint as US ambassador to Bangladesh.

Thomas expressed the hope that the next general elections in Bangladesh will be free and fair.

He was the 11th US ambassador to Bangladesh, and upon his return to Washington, he will replace Karl Hofmann as executive secretary at the State Department.

He praised the people of Bangladesh for their hospitality, saying that they were wonderful to his family and to him. "Our heart will always be with Bangladesh and we will miss you. The people are wonderful and they impressed me most--they are resilient and inseparable."

Ambassador Thomas stayed in Dhaka with his wife Ericka O. Smith Thomas, a vocalist, and his daughter Casey Merie Eunice Thomas.

He received wide media coverage during his tenure for his outspoken remarks on major issues in Bangladesh.

During his stay here, he had spoken about the needs for improvement in human-right conditions, highlighting the State Department's annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices as a key tool for moving the dialogue on human rights forward.

In his observations the United States diplomat said, "I know that Bangladesh will continue to succeed and be a model for democracy and tolerance for everyone."

About the visit of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Thomas said he was not sure about her visit to Bangladesh.

Harry was vocal on the issues of security and freedom of journalists who faced "intimidation and violence from criminals, political leaders, and religious extremists".

When asked to speak something in Bengali he said, "Ami asha kori 2-3 bosorer moddye Bangladesh e ashbo (I hope I will be back in Bangladesh within 2-3 years)."

Responding to the reporters' appeal to comment on the political situation of Bangladesh, Thomas said, "You are trying to get the headline from me. I am no longer the ambassador... President Bush accepted my resignation."