Gen Mubeen takes over as army chief Moeen bids bye

Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division M Abdul Mubeen yesterday took over as the Chief of Army Staff upon becoming a four-star General succeeding  General Moeen U Ahmed who proceeded on retirement  after completing his extended tenure.
Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Z U Ahmed and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal S M Ziaur Rahman ceremonially adorned the new army chief with badges of rank of general in the presence of prime minister Sheikh Hasina who also holds charge of defence ministry. Defence Secretary Kamrul Hasan and senior military officers witnessed the ceremony.
The new Chief of Army Staff  General Mubeen took over the command of the Army at a formal taking-making over ceremony at the Army headquarters, the ISPR said in a press release.
Mubeen, out and out a professional soldier with distinguished service at home and abroad to his credit, was named the new chief of the Army on June 4 by the government which simultaneously set the time for him to take over his new responsibility.
General Moeen U Ahmed bade a low-key adieu before handing over the baton to his successor. The Army which he served for over three decades gave him traditional farewell, including a guard of honour.
General Moeen who is widely believed to be the key player of the 1/11 change-over of 2007 that installed a caretaker government headed by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed. The interim government ruled the country for two years under a state of emergency.
The minus two formula which sought to exclude the heads of two main parties from politics was thought to be the brainchild of those who wanted to run the country with an iron fist from behind the scene. The mass arrests of political and business leaders and instituting politically motivated  graft cases against them including the present Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition led to political uncertainty during the emergency rule.  
UNB adds: General Mubeen called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the PM’s office.
Earlier in the morning, the outgoing Army Chief, General Moeen, placed floral wreaths at the Shikha Anirban and paid his homage to the members of the armed forces martyred during the Liberation War in 1971 and signed a visitor’s book.
A smartly turned-out army contingent presented guard of honour to the outgoing army chief at Senakunja.
General Moeen Sunday performed his farewell formalities for his exit after 34 years of chequered military career.
Appointed chief of staff on June 15 in 2005, during the BNP-led four-party alliances government, Moeen had his service extended by a year on April 6 last year after his three-year eventful tenure. He was elevated to a four-star general in 2007.
Our monitoring staff adds: Outgoing army chief Gen (Rtd) Moeen U Ahmed has said, there is no alternative to democracy.
Speaking to the BBC Moeen U Ahmed said, he will try to work for the welfare of the poor people particularly orphans during his retirement period.
About his role during the army backed caretaker government, Gen Moeen said, “The military is subservient to the government. It carries out the orders of each government. Everything was done for the sake of democracy. Voter list was prepared sincerely and election was held. People elected their government.”
About arrest of political leaders including the two top leaders, Gen Moeen said, “Everything was done as per system. At this moment let us look forward. Let us see that democracy prevails and everything goes right. We have got back democracy.”
He asserted, “There is no alternative  to democracy. We have said it earlier and we are telling it now. Without democracy no country can progress.”
About his role during the caretaker government, Gen Moeen said, “Every individual has his own way of explaining things. People will evaluate all aspects. But I think, personally, I myself and the military performed our duty.”

Courtesy of The Independent