Bangladesh's parliament convened on Sunday for the first time since 2006, as the nation takes another step in its return to democracy.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of the Awami League, and former Prime
Minister Khaleda Zia, of the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led
their respective parties at the opening session.
The Awami League coalition dominates the 300-seat parliament. That
alliance won a landslide victory in the general election held on
December 29th -- the country's first parliamentary vote in seven years.
An army-backed interim government ruled Bangladesh from 2007 until Ms.
Hasina was sworn in as Bangladesh's new prime minister earlier this
month.