Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman, said US will continue to work with Bangladesh to address the threat of extremism and to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation.

"The United States applauds the arrest by Bangladesh security forces of Abdur Rahman. His capture is an important step in confronting extremism in Bangladesh." Ereli told a correspondent at a regular press briefing at the State Depart-ment on Thursday.

He said Washington and Dhaka work closely together in the fight against terror. "This arrest is a sign of the fruits of that cooperation I think."

Ereli said both the countries have suffered at the hands of terrorists and 'we have a shared interest in continuing this cooperation.'