Lt Gen Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq has been made the new chief of Bangladesh Army.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the defence minister, signed the appointment letter of the new army chief today, PMO and army sources said.

He will be replacing Gen Iqbal karim Bhuiyan whose prevailing term as the chief of army will end on June 26.

Born in December 1958, Lieutenant General Belal was commissioned in Armoured Corps on 18 June 1978 from Bangladesh Military Academy.

For his outstanding performance in the Military Academy, he was adjudged as the best all round cadet of his batch and was awarded with "Sword of Honour".

Lt Gen Belal obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dhaka University and Master Degree on 'Defense Studies' from National University Bangladesh and Masters in Philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals.

In a career of 37 years, Lt Gen Belal held a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments including as the ADC to the president of Bangladesh.

Lieutenant General Belal was a member of the pioneer group of officers sent to UN peacekeeping mission from Bangladesh.

He is happily married to Shoma Huq and the couple is blessed with a daughter and a son.