The Bangladesh Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, has condemned as cowardly an unprecedented wave of bombings across the country that killed two people and injured 100.
She said the evil design of terrorists was to create panic and destabilise the southeast Asian country, after about 350 small blasts went off across Bangladesh in the space of an hour earlier today.
'I want to say that the attackers are enemies of the country, people, peace, humanity and democracy,' she was quoted as saying.
Authorities earlier said they had immediately tightened security around the country and ordered a crackdown on possible suspects. 45 people have been arrested.
Reports from all over the country said the bombs exploded on the streets, at court premises and near key government buildings between 05.30am and 06.30am Irish time, causing widespread panic.
