Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus, who is set to lead an interim government after the premier was ousted, called for calm and urged people to use the opportunity to build a better nation.

"I fervently appeal to everybody to stay calm. Please refrain from all kinds of violence," he said in a statement, a day ahead of his expected return to the country from Europe. "Be calm and get ready to build the country. If we take the path of violence everything will be destroyed."