Dhaka, March 27 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has described the late president Ziaur Rahman as an "inevitable" figure of the Liberation War, asserting that his Declaration of Independence was the result of longstanding mental preparation rather than an impulse.

Speaking at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) on Friday, the premier highlighted a specific essay written by Zia as a vital historical resource.

"What happened at 2:15am on Mar 26, 1971 can serve as a crucial document for researchers of our independence and Liberation War history," said Tarique.

The essay the premier was referring to was published in the daily Dainik Bangla on Mar 26, 1972, title...