Dhaka, April 23 -- The International Crisis Group on Thursday urged the new government of Bangladesh to address the ban on the Awami League.

"The BNP government will also have to address the politically sensitive question of the Awami League's future. Given its pivotal role in Bangladesh politics since independence, the party's temporary ban is not sustainable over the longer term, " Crisis Group's Senior Consultant on Bangladesh and Myanmar, Thomas Kean, said.

In the context of the release of a new report by the International Crisis Group on Bangladesh, he made this statement. The report stated that, considering its close ties to the party and the fact that most of its senior figures are in exile, New Delhi should use its influence to ...