The BNP has sought US assistance in restoring democracy and rule of law in the country.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia made the request during a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry at the US embassy in Dhaka yesterday.

After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters, "We and the US are hopeful that along with economic development of the country, democracy will be restored in Bangladesh with the help of the US."

Fakhrul said Kerry told them that the US was eager to work with Bangladesh as a friend to "restore democracy, people's rights and the rule of law".

Khaleda went to the US embassy around 4:15pm and left almost an hour later.

A four-member BNP delegation led by the BNP chief held over half-an-hour long meeting with Kerry and discussed a wide range of issues, including militancy, absence of democracy, rule of law, next general election and freedom of the press, Fakhrul said.

The secretary general said they had a detailed discussion on the next general election with the US diplomat. He, however, did not disclose the details on the discussion.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Khaleda Zia's adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed were also present.