Dhaka, March 16: Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has said allegations of Bangladesh harbouring extremists and Al Qaida terrorists were nothing but a conspiracy against her government.

"These are nothing but conspiracies against the government of the four-party coalition," Zia said on the alleged presence of fundamentalists, militants and the Al Qaeda in the country.

Terming Bangladesh a liberal democratic Muslim country, the prime minister said her government by no means would allow anyone to damage this image.

"The question is not of extremism or fundamentalism. The government will take necessary measures against whoever is responsible for unleashing violence and disturbing social peace and stability," Zia said, explaining the government's position regarding recent bomb explosions.

Making her valedictory remarks Tuesday night on the concluding day of the winter session of parliament, she also criticised the observations of some foreigners - foreign diplomats and members of donor agencies - on the situation in Bangladesh.

"Stop interfering in the internal affairs of our country," she said.

"'No one can govern a nation, which gained independence through war, by dictation and frowning," she said. "As a sovereign nation, we have a sovereign parliament, laws and judicial system."

Indo-Asian News Service