Bangladesh acting president Hafiz Uddin Ahmed begins duties at Bangabhaban

Acting president Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will begin official duties at Bangabhaban on Tuesday, days after assuming the presidency following Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation.

Hafiz is expected to arrive at the presidential palace at noon from the official residence of the Jatiya Sangsad, according to people familiar with the schedule.

The Jatiya Sangsad speaker became acting president Friday in accordance with the constitution after Shahabuddin stepped down.

Hafiz visited the National Memorial in Savar on Sunday morning and placed wreaths in honor of those killed during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. He also signed the memorial’s visitor book.

Chiefs of the armed forces and senior military and civilian officials attended the ceremony.

Hafiz later paid tribute at the graves of martyred president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

President of Bangladesh is largely a ceremonial post.