DHAKA, April 9: Britain urged Bangladesh’s army-backed interim government on Wednesday to lift the state of emergency ahead of parliamentary elections planned by the end of the current year.

“Achieving democracy is vital for Bangladesh’s future stability,” British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told a news conference.

Fakhruddin Ahmed, head of the interim government, who took charge in January last year following deadly political violence, has pledged a credible election by the end of 2008.

Smith arrived in Dhaka late on Tuesday on a three-day visit to discuss the forthcoming election and other bilateral issues.

“We (Bangladesh and Britain) have reached an agreement to share responsibility in tackling terrorism,” she said.

Senior government and intelligence officials of both countries will meet in June to discus ways of co-operating on fighting global terror. —Reuters