Bangladesh PM opposes Hill Tracts conference

The Bangladeshi prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has rejected demands from the opposition to hold a conference to discuss the peace agreement signed earlier this month to end twenty years of conflict over the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

In a meeting with the president, Shahabuddin Ahmed, the prime minister said the matter should be discussed in parliament.

Mr Ahmed is due to give a ruling on the matter soon.

The opposition Bangladesh National Party has argued that a conference might help to reduce continuing tension in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

It says the treaty goes against the terms of the Bangladeshi constitution and discriminates against Bengali settlers.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service