Both the leaders will continue to have police protection. Security arrangements for them might be strengthened further if needed but they will not get SSF protection, sources said.

The SSF members were withdrawn from Hasina's residence around 12 midnight while sources said the SSF guards in Khaleda's security contingent were packing up later in the night.

Earlier, sources at BNP chief Khaleda's Hawa Bhaban office and Awami League (AL) President Hasina's residence Sudha Sadan however said at 9:00 last night they were yet to be informed about any decision about SSF withdrawal.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil later said the government deployed the SSF personnel to ensure security of the AL chief and it has now withdrawn them for its own need.

"We are seriously concerned about the withdrawal...We will ask the government to ensure Sheikh Hasina's security," Jalil told reporters outside Sudha Sadan last night.

The personal security staff of the AL chief will look after the security matter, he added.

Asked if the withdrawal of SSF from Hasina's residence has any link to her recent speech, Jalil said he does not think so.

As the eighth parliament was dissolved, SSF personnel were deployed around Hasina's residence at zero hour on October 27 last year while Khaleda's SSF security remained as usual.

In a letter to Hasina on October 26, a director of the Prime Minister's Office said the SSF will ensure her security after expiry of the tenure of parliament as per the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 281/2002.

The SRO provides that the immediate past prime minister and the leader of the opposition will enjoy equal security facilities soon after dissolution of parliament.

But the SSF men were withdrawn only three hours after their deployment at Sudha Sadan.

Sources however said they were withdrawn as the caretaker government did not take oath by that time.

Police protection for Hasina, which was withdrawn following deployment of the SSF, resumed the same day.

Expressing deep concern at the SSF withdrawal, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil then demanded withdrawal of the SSF also from Khaleda Zia's house.

The AL termed it a conspiracy and abuse of power by the previous coalition government.

The SSF and President's Guard Regiment then took charge of Sudha Sadan security on October 30 morning.

As per law, a former prime minister and a former opposition leader will get SSF security for three months until the holding of general election.

As the elections scheduled for January 22 were postponed, the duration of the SSF security was extended for the two leaders.