Dhaka, Feb. 13 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, its chair Tarique Rahman, and the people of Bangladesh on their victory in the national election.

In a statement on Friday, Rubio said: "Congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader Tarique Rahman as well as the people of Bangladesh."

"The United States looks forward to working with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and the security of the region," he added.

According to unofficial results from Thursday's general election, the BNP has clinched 209 out of 299 seats.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has won 68 seats.

Within the BNP-led electoral alliance, the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Ganosamhati Andola...