UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is concerned about widespread political violence related to the forthcoming national elections in Bangladesh and the transitional arrangements, according to a release.

"The secretary general hopes that efforts by President Iajuddin Ahmed, who named himself head of a caretaker government, to consult with the main political parties to find a way out of the present crisis will bring about the desired results," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on Monday.

"The secretary general has appealed to the major political forces in Bangladesh to work together to find a common ground for the elections, acting in the interest of democracy and the welfare of the entire nation," the statement added.

British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Kim Howells has called for an end to the widespread political violence in Bangladesh and urged the caretaker government to maintain neutrality in line with the constitution.

In a statement issued on Monday, he said, "I'm deeply concerned at the violence in Bangladesh in recent days," said a British High Commission press release here yesterday.

The British minister also urged the caretaker government to work in the best interests of the people, and the political parties of the country to work towards free, fair and peaceful elections.