UNITED NATIONS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday said that he was saddened by the death of the president of Bangladesh, Zillur Rahman.
Rahman passed away on Wednesday in a Singapore hospital where he had been undergoing treatment for respiratory problems and some other complications since March 11.
He was earlier admitted to Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka cantonment as he complained of respiratory complications.
"The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the President, the government and people of Bangladesh," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson.
Rahman had made important contribution to his country's democratic transition throughout his political life, the statement noted.
The 84-year-old veteran politician was installed as the ceremonial head of state in 2009 after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League party won the landmark December 2008 general elections.
Ban met in New York on Tuesday Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, with whom he exchanged views on the current situation in the country, including issues of accountability and justice. They also discussed the country's upcoming elections and the importance of a free, fair, credible and inclusive process.
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