The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, resigned from her post today, Monday (05), and left the country, after a cycle of protests and violence that left hundreds of people dead.

According to Reuters news agencyThe army chief, General Waker-Us-Zaman, confirmed in a televised speech that Hasina had left the country and announced the formation of an interim government.

"An interim government will be formed and through this government all the country's activities will be carried out," declared Waker-Uz-Zaman, who called for an end to the violence and said that the formation of the interim executive will now be discussed with the President, Shahabuddin Chuppu, adding that the murderers and those responsible for the "injustices" committed against the students during the protests will be brought to justice.

"Please continue to trust the army. I take full responsibility for saving lives and property," concluded the general in the announcement made minutes after Hasina left the country.

Meanwhile, according to the same publication, some media outlets said that the prime minister left the country in a military helicopter with her sister and headed across the border to the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

Following the announcement, televisions showed thousands of people taking to the streets of the capital, Dhaka, in jubilation and shouting slogans. Thousands also stormed Hasina's official residence, 'Ganabhaban', with words against her and their fists raised in victory.

Despite the curfew in place, student activists had called for a march to the capital today to pressure Hasina to resign, a day after deadly clashes across the country left almost 100 people dead.

Around 150 people were killed in protests last month. The protests began last month after student groups demanded an end to a controversial quota system for public office. However, the police crackdown spurred calls for the resignation of the head of government.

(Photo DR)