Hasina, also president of the Awami League (AL), made this remark at a meeting with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca.

"We don't think mere arrest of Bangla Bhai (militant kingpin) will solve the problem if militancy is not weeded out. And without sincere efforts of the government, only foreign assistance will not serve the purpose," the AL chief's political secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury quoted her as telling Rocca.

Rocca declined to say anything after the 90-minute meeting at Hasina's Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi in the city.

Tackling terrorism and militancy figured prominently at the meeting, sources said.

The meeting also discussed the AL-led opposition alliance's reservations about participation in the next general elections if its demands for reforms in the caretaker government system and Election Commission (EC) are not met.

The AL chief explained to Rocca that the demands are in conformity with the country's constitution and aimed to ensure free and fair elections.

According to the sources, Rocca told the AL leaders at the meeting that the opposition could join parliament sessions and play their due role. In response, the AL leaders said they would take a decision in this regard at the upcoming meeting of the party's parliamentary wing.

"We narrated our position on the reform proposals," Saber told reporters. "We are in a movement for a level playing field," he said about the next election.

Asked if they have discussed the outcome of talks between Rocca and the government, Saber said the government had earlier said the problem of militancy would be resolved within two months, which proved its full control over militants.

"May be they will arrest Bangla Bhai before the next election and claim credit for this," Saber said. "So, we think there is a lack of sincerity osn the government side."

He mentioned that earlier the government had arrested Bangla Bhai and released him while Industries Minister and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami had said Bangla Bhai was a creation of the media.

At the meeting, Hasina also pointed out at the 'zero outcome' of the probe into the killing of former finance minister and her party leader Shah AMS Kibria, recoveries of huge arms and ammunition and grenade attacks during the tenure of this government.

Rocca was accompanied by US Charge d' Affaires in Dhaka Judith A Chammas and senior US Embassy officials.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Presidium member Kazi Jafar Ullah, International Affairs Secretary Syed Abul Hossain and former ambassador Ziauddin were present at the meeting.