Bangladesh top politicians held

At least eight prominent politicians have been detained in Bangladesh, officials and media reports say.

Among those held in a series of raids in the capital Dhaka are several former ministers from the two main parties.

They are the most high-profile figures to be detained since the interim government declared a state of emergency in January.

The measure was triggered by weeks of pre-election violence. The poll planned for 22 January has been postponed.

Among those detained in the pre-dawn raids are representatives of both main parties - the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League.

They are now being questioned.

Bangladesh's security forces have so far given no reason for the arrests.

The country's interim government has promised to hold the elections after reforms are made to the electoral system, which the Awami League - previously the main opposition party - says is corrupt.