United Nations' Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco said he saw the possibility of a peaceful resolution to the existing political deadlock in Bangladesh.
This was the first on-the-record comment he made to the media during his three-day stay in Bangladesh.
During this time, he met the prime minister, the opposition chief, various political leaders, the civil society and the chief election commissioner.
The comment was made after holding his second meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.
“I do believe that there is a possibility of a peaceful solution to the current political deadlock,” he told reporters.
But for that to happen, political will, leadership, an attitude of compromise and “most importantly” an engagement for peaceful dialogue is needed, he said.
But it was still not time to speak as some meetings were still pending, he said. “I will speak in a press briefing tomorrow.”
The envoy is in Bangladesh on deputation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for what is being said "to broker a political deal" ahead of the elections.
On Sunday, Taranco met Jatiya Party, Chief Election Commissioner, civil society and visited the Prime Minister's Office.
Earlier, he had asked the prime minister if the January 5 elections can be deferred. He supported polls under the constitution but observed the need for a level-playing field.
A day after this meeting, Awami League said they had no problem with the elections deferred.
Taranco also said to have requested the Election Commission to defer the polls date. CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said “everything is possible if legal.”