We learned at an early age that it was men's interpretation of our religion that restricted women's opportunities, not our religion itself. Islam in fact had been quite progressive toward women from its inception.

Dictatorships by their nature are unrepresentative as they neglect the social needs of the people.

The military destabilised my government on politically motivated charges.

It's never easy dealing with terrorists, but it must be done through a mixture of political, economic and administrative means.

The political parties have unanimously rejected the one-man constitutional changes.

Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism.

Right now, they feel they have lost their voice, and their miseries have increased since my departure.