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DHAKA: Bangladesh today lifted the ban on Facebook, three-weeks after it blocked the popular social networking site following Supreme Court ruling upholding death penalty of two opposition leaders convicted for war-crimes committed during 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

“As per recommendation from the home ministry, we have given directives to all the telecoms service providers to unblock Facebook immediately,” telecommunication minister Tarana Halim said.

However, the bans on WhatsApp and Viber would continue for “security reasons”, Halim said as he thanked people for “keeping patience” during the ban.

State minister for Information Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak supplemented Halim saying the decision was taken keeping in mind the necessity of keeping an eye on “Facebook-based criminal activities” while consultations with Facebook authorities were underway.

Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber were blocked last month after the death penalty for two opposition leaders was upheld by the Supreme Court.