Bangladesh says talks will lead to democracy

By Nizam Ahmed

DHAKA (Reuters) - The head of Bangladesh's army-backed interim government said on Wednesday that a final round of talks with political parties would steer the nation to democracy through elections in December.

"We hope the talks will yield a good result for all and with a credible election we will be able to return to democracy," Fakhruddin Ahmed told reporters.

The much awaited talks will begin on Thursday, with three smaller parties meeting government advisers.

"All parties will participate in turns and the talks will help us hold a free, fair and credible election," Hossain Zillur Rahman, an adviser to the interim government, said.

In a televised speech on May 12, Fakhruddin reiterated that his government would hold a parliamentary election in December.

Former Central Bank Governor Fakhruddin took charges in January 2007, following deadly political violence, and cancelled a controversial election due in the same month.

The Awami League party of detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said would announce later whether it would participate in the talks.

A breakaway faction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the other main party led by another detained former prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, said it would join the talks. Khaleda loyalists said they would decide soon whether to take part.