Bangladesh's interim government will support the country's Rohingya refugee population and vital garment export trade, leader Muhammad Yunus said Sunday in his first major policy address since taking office.

The Rohingya, one of the world's largest stateless communities, fled Myanmar in 2017 in droves toward Bangladesh to escape a surge in violence in Rakhine state between a shadowy militant group and Myanmar's military.

"Our government will continue to support the million-plus Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh," Yunus said. "We need the sustained efforts of the international community for Rohingya humanitarian operations and their eventual repatriation to their homeland, Myanmar, with safety, dignity and full rights."

Bangladesh's 3,500 garment factories account for around 85 percent of its $55 billion in annual exports. Some suppliers shifted production out of the country during the unrest that toppled Yunus' predecessor, ex-premier Sheikh Hasina. "We won't tolerate any attempt to disrupt the global clothing supply chain in which we are a key player," he said.

Yunus took oath as the head of Bangladesh's interim government in early August following the fall of Hasina's government.