Cabinet approves president's speech

The first cabinet meeting of the newly formed government today approved a draft of the president's speech.

The approval came at the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held at the Secretariat in the capital, Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the meeting.

At the maiden session of the 10th parliament, which is scheduled to begin on January 29, President Abdul Hamid will deliver the speech.

The current political situation, recent polls violence, attacks on minority, trial of war criminals and overall economic condition will be the main topic of his speech.

He will also offer some guidelines to move forward, the cabinet secretary said.

Earlier in the day, the cabinet members held their first meeting, where the premier gave them some guidelines on work, sources in the cabinet said.

On January 12, Hasina, who became the premier for the third time, formed her new cabinet.

Earlier on January 5, the 10th parliamentary election was held amid boycott by the BNP in which Awami League won with absolute majority.

A record 153 lawmakers were elected unopposed and polling took place in about 147 constituencies across 59 districts of the country.