"The ruling alliance is utilising the postponement of the summit for political gain and trying to put the blame on the Awami League," AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil said at a press conference at party's Dhanmondi office.

"We want to make it clear that Awami League's movement is not to hamper the Saarc Summit, but against this killer government to force it to quit," Jalil said. "We are not against the Saarc and its spirit. We want to make the regional forum stronger."

On Thursday, a meeting of the top leaders of the BNP-led ruling alliance blamed AL for foiling the Saarc Summit and said the main opposition had launched a campaign against holding the summit in Dhaka and called hartal coinciding with it.

Refuting the allegation, the AL general secretary said, "It is unfortunate that the high-ups of the ruling coalition gave such statements involving Awami League to create confusion in public mind."

He said the summit was postponed as India declined to attend citing Nepalese political turmoil and deterioration of law and order in Dhaka.

"The government's dealings with the opposition and ridiculous statement do not only manifest their foolishness but will also tarnish the image of the country," Jalil said.

The AL general secretary said if the government is sincere to hold the Saarc Summit, it should create a congenial atmosphere for it.

"It should ensure rule of law in the country through allowing international investigations of the grenade attacks, holding trials of the killings during the last three years and curbing political terrorism and activities of the fundamentalist groups."

Jalil regretted that seven days have already passed after the murder of Shah ASM Kibria, but the government could not yet arrest the killers.

Top leaders of the party including Abdus Samad Azad, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzaq, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Obaidul Quader were present at the press conference.