During the meeting with AL President Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence, US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis discussed the changed political scenario in Bangladesh following the transfer of power to a caretaker government.

Emerging from the meeting that lasted for about an hour, Butenis told journalists that she had thanked the AL president for giving the chief of the caretaker government Iajuddin Ahmed an opportunity to prove his impartiality and neutrality.

"I don't think that three or four days are enough," commented Butenis.

The US envoy urged all political parties not to sponsor any more violence on the streets and hoped all the parties would participate in the upcoming elections.

"It is important not to resume street violence and agitation. I urge all the political parties and political leaders to refrain from it," added Butenis. "I was encouraged that all showed restraint during the power handover."

Briefing the reporters, Sheikh Hasina's political secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury said they informed the US envoy of the 11 immediate tasks for the president to prove his neutrality within November 3.

"We have given a chance to the president to prove that he is not partisan," Saber said adding that if the president has "keen", those tasks could be met in a matter of "three hours".

Earlier, outgoing Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri called on Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence and discussed different bilateral issues.

Sikri's meeting with Hasina lasted for about half an hour. She said after the meeting, India looks forward to seeing a free and fair election held in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi people are strongly committed to democracy and democratic traditions, Sikri observed. "We hope that people of Bangladesh will be able to hold a free and fair election as per the Constitution."

Among others, AL leaders Abdul Jalil, Kazi Zafarullah, Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Sheikh Helal, were present during the meetings.