The United Nations has expressed concern over the loss of lives in the political unrest in Bangladesh.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary general, made the statement in response to a query on Bangladesh's current political situation at the regular press briefing on Wednesday.
"We are very much concerned about the violence and the loss of life that's occurred in Bangladesh since the beginning of last year," he said.
Dujarric said: "The former Assistant Secretary‑General in-Charge of Political Affairs Oscar Fernández-Taranco has been tasked by the Secretary‑General to liaise with the government, and he's doing just that."
He said the UN secretary‑general is personally committed to the stability and positive development of Bangladesh.
Earlier last week, the United Nations said it would continue to be in touch with the leaders of the ruling Awami League and the BNP in order to resolve the ongoing political crisis.
So far, more than 60 people have died and scores have been injured in different parts of the country in violence during the non-stop blockade enforced by the BNP-led alliance.
Of those, a large number of arson attacks are being conducted on highways. Hundreds of vehicles, including those belonging to law-enforcers, were burnt and attacked.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been enforcing a non-stop nationwide blockade since January 5 in protest against the confinement of the party chief Khaleda Zia.
Khaleda Zia had been kept confined to her Gulshan party office since January 3 ahead of a party rally, marking “Democracy Killing Day.”
On January 12, the security was relaxed.