The army chief of Bangladesh promises to help forming an interim government.

Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman requested the protesters to end violence, and promised to meet their demands, adding that he will form an interim government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests.

He made these remarks in a broadcast to the nation on state television. He added that the country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence. Local media reports from Bangladesh say Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the capital Dhaka amid violent protests.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters defied curfew, marching on the capital’s streets and later storming the Prime Minister’s palace. Visuals showed crowds running into the premier’s official residence in Dhaka, waving to the camera as they celebrated.