Armed forces bid farewell to Iajuddin...................

An armed forces contingent presented a joint guard of honour to outgoing president Iajuddin Ahmed at Sena Kunja in Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday.

As part of the ceremonies Iajuddin is attending before departing office, the president laid wreathes before the 'eternal flame' at the Cantonment and visited the air force, navy and army headquarters

Ruling party Awami League, after assuming power in January, nominated deputy leader of the house Zillur Rahman for president.

As there were no other presidential nominees, the Election Commission is set to officially declare Zillur's presidency later Wednesday.

After resigning as an MP, Zillur is scheduled to take oath to the presidential office as the 19th president of the republic on Thursday.

Air force chief, air vice marshal SM Ziaur Rahman greeted outgoing president Iajuddin Ahmed as he arrived at the air headquarters Wednesday. Rear admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed and General Moeen U Ahmed welcomed him on arrival at the navy and army headquarters.

The president then received the joint guard of honour of the three services at Sena Kunja, with the chiefs of the three services and other senior officers attending.

On his return to Bangabhaban, the president attended a farewell party thrown by his staff.

Iajuddin took oath as the 18th president of the republic on Sept 6, 2002, after AQM Badruddozza Chowdhury resigned from the office on June 21, 2002. Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar was acting president from June 21 to September 5, 2002.