"As per constitutional provision, a caretaker government will take over on expiry of our tenure in October and will arrange a neutral election in the country," she said while addressing a darbar of the army at Comilla Cantonment.

The prime minister asked members of the armed forces to remain alert against any division, confusion and anarchy that can weaken the national unity and defence power.

She said the nation will always remember the glorious role and sacrifices of the armed forces in the War of Independence.

After independence, the prime minister said, members of the armed forces played their important roles in protecting the interests of the country and ensuring welfare of the nation during calamities and at all critical junctures.

She said, "We've been implementing the Vision 2020 programme for modernising the armed forces keeping in mind the demand of the new century."

The prime minister assured members of the armed forces that the government in cooperation with the armed forces would keep up the process of their modernisation in the future.

She lauded various roles and activities of the armed forces apart from their professional duties.

Khaleda said member of the armed forces played important role in curbing terrorism through "Operation Clean Heart" and also in improving law and order.

Members of the armed forces have been acclaimed everywhere in the world for successfully performing their duties in UN peacekeeping missions, the prime minister said, hoping that this reputation will increase in the future.

She also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers who died in a road accident in Ivory Coast recently.

Army Chief Lt Gen Moyeen U Ahmed and Comilla Area GOC Major General Abdul Hafiz received the prime minister on her arrival at the cantonment.