Ex-Bangladesh PM not to go abroad

Ms Zia has been accused of accepting bribes

The detained former Bangladesh Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, has ruled out going abroad for medical treatment.

She said there was no need to do so as Bangladesh had many good doctors.

Ms Zia's comments follow reports suggesting that the interim government may allow her to go overseas to treat arthritis and knee problems.

Hundreds of Bangladeshi politicians, including Ms Zia and another former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, are in detention facing corruption charges.

Bangladesh has been under emergency rule since January 2007 and the military-backed interim government has promised to hold elections by the end of this year.

Ms Zia, who heads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has been accused of accepting bribes when she was in power. She denies all charges.

Sheikh Hasina, who heads the Awami League, has also been cleared to go abroad for medical treatment, media reports say.

She is suffering from high blood pressure, and eye and ear problems.

Ms Hasina and two family members have been accused of accepting payments from a businessman when she was prime minister.

They say the allegation is politically motivated, and that the interim government's anti-corruption drive is simply an attempt to force the most popular politicians out of politics.