Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh, delivered his first major policy address, pledging continued support for the Rohingya refugees and a commitment to maintaining Bangladesh’s crucial garment trade.

Yunus emphasized the need for international efforts to repatriate the Rohingya to Myanmar safely and highlighted the importance of protecting Bangladesh’s textile industry, which accounts for 85% of the country’s $55 billion in annual exports.

He also called for an impartial investigation into the deaths of over 450 people during recent student-led protests that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Yunus, who was previously convicted in a politically charged trial, promised to promote national reconciliation and hold free and fair elections.

Written by B.C. Begley