Bangladesh to introduce sky marshals

The authorities in Bangladesh say they have agreed to put armed guards on some passenger flights to the United States.

The guards, known as sky marshals, will be deployed only on certain flights by national airline Biman to the US, Civil Aviation Minister Mir Nasiruddin told the BBC.

"We are not going to deploy sky marshals on all flights," he said.

"We'll put armed guards on those flights only for which the United States authorities make a special request."

He said Bangladesh was responding to a friendly request from Washington.

A number of countries have refused to introduce armed guards, which the US authorities say would help prevent possible attacks.

Bangladesh is among a number of nations whose citizens must undergo special security checks at all US airports.