Tight security for Muslim meet

The authorities in Bangladesh have taken unprecedented security precautions for a three-day Muslim gathering which is considered second only in size to the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Up to two million people are expected to take part in the conference, the Biswa Ijetma, which is being attended by delegates from 71 countries.

Nearly 2,000 police officers are being deployed for the event, on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka.

It is taking place a week after a series of bomb explosions in cinemas in the northern town of Mymensingh, which killed at least 18 people.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service