A spokesman for the State Department stressed that the caretaker government needs to move as quickly and effectively as it can to elections to continue the momentum of Bangladeshi democracy.

"What you don't want to have happen is that we get stuck with a non-elected government for an extended period of time. That would be a setback for Bangladesh and Bangladeshi democracy," Sean McCormack told a press briefing at the State Department on Wednesday in response to a question about special envoy Farooq Sobhan's visit to Washington.

On Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's return home, the spokesman said it's positive action that the government has allowed her back into Bangladesh.

"We encourage that development. What needs to happen in Bangladesh is that this caretaker government needs to move as quickly and effectively as it can to elections so that you continue the momentum of Bangladeshi democracy," he said.

McCormack said: "We are in contact with those officials who are essentially running the government right now and encouraging them to move forward with the elections."