Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paid tribute to 20 hostages, most of them foreigners, and two policemen who were killed in a jihadist siege on a cafe in the country's capital.
The ceremony was held at the Army Stadium in Banani in Dhaka where Hasina greeted the victims' relatives and representatives of their native countries - Italy, Japan, US and India.
A heavily-escorted Hasina, who left the stadium immediately after the ceremony, placed a wreath of flowers on a plaque in honour of the victims that was set up opposite a small stage with flags from Bangladesh and the other four countries, according to live images broadcast by local television channels.
Following her departure, diplomatic and family representatives of the victims also paid tribute to the nine Italians, seven Japanese, four Bangladeshis, one American and an Indian who died in the terror strike.
Remains of the two policemen killed in the attack have already been buried, while the bodies of the other victims will be handed over to their families and repatriated to their home countries.
Monday marks the second day of national mourning after seven jihadists (six of whom were killed and one arrested) attacked the Holey Artisan Bakery, located in the diplomatic area of Dhaka and frequented by many foreigners, on Friday.
The police has confirmed that the seven attackers were Bangladeshis and five of them are being sought by the police.
The assault, which ended on Saturday, has been claimed both by the Islamic State and the Al-Qaeda branch in the Indian subcontinent, although Bangladeshi police believe homegrown Islamist terrorists are behind it.
Bangladesh has been witnessing a spate of targeted attacks by Islamists since 2013, although no major terrorist attacks in the last decade.
