(Adds comments by army chief, U.N. official)

DHAKA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's army-backed interim government will lift emergency rule before the Dec. 29 election, a government adviser (minister) said on Tuesday, but he gave no specific date.

"The emergency will be lifted in phases before the election," Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia has threatened to boycott the election if the emergency is not lifted by Dec. 11.

It has already forced the commission to delay the polls by 11 days from Dec. 18.

Army chief General Moeen U. Ahmed said on Tuesday he would also ask the government to lift the emergency.

The army helped the interim authority take power in January 2007 and has supported all its actions, including a crackdown on corrupt politicians.

"They have to do it (lift the emergency)" Moeen said at a reception for him held by the country's business leaders.

The BNP, meanwhile, has started handing out nomination papers to party aspirants, while country's other main party, the Awami League, says it has nearly finished the process.

The deadline for the submission of the nominations is Nov. 30. (Reporting by Anis Ahmed; Editing by David Fox)

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