Myanmar coup live: Thai police clash with protestors against coup

Myanmar military television said Monday that the military was taking control of the country for one year, while reports said many of the country’s senior politicians including Aung San Suu Kyi had been detained.

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An presenter on military-owned Myawaddy TV made the announcement and cited a section of the military-drafted constitution that allows the military to take control in times of national emergency. He said the reason for takeover was in part due to the government’s failure to act on the military’s claims of voter fraud in last November’s election and its failure to postpone the election because of the coronavirus crisis.

The announcement follows days of concern about the threat of a military coup — and military denials — and came on the morning the country’s new Parliament session was to begin.

The latest on Myanmar after the military said it was taking control for one year

5:00pm

Thai police clash with protestors against coup

Police in Thailand’s capital clashed on Monday with a group of demonstrators who were protesting against a coup that took place in Myanmar, Reuters witnesses said.

At least two people were injured at the protest, which took place outside Myanmar’s embassy in the Thai capital, where at least 200 people had gathered, including Thai and Myanmar citizens.

The police arrested at least two people according to the Thai legal monitoring group iLaw.

4:15pm

Japan expresses concerns over military’s actions

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed “serious concern” about developments in Myanmar and called for the release of leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“We have serious concerns about Myanmar’s declaration of a state of emergency, a development that is harming the democratization process,” Motegi said in a statement Monday. “We demand the release of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other officials.”

“Japan has strongly supported Myanmar’s democratization process and opposes moves that go against it,” Motegi said. “We strongly urge the military again to restore a democratic political system as soon as possible.”

4:00pm

ASEAN calls for ‘dialogue and return to normalcy’

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called on Monday for Myanmar to pursue “dialogue, reconciliation and the return to normalcy” after the military staged a coup against the government of Noble laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

“We reiterate that the political stability in ASEAN Member States is essential to achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community,” the 10-member bloc said in a statement.

2:40pm

Germany tells military to release Suu Kyi

Germany strongly condemns the seizure of power and the accompanying arrests by the military in Myanmar, its foreign minister said on Monday.

“The military actions jeopardize the progress made so far towards democratic change in Myanmar,” Heiko Maas said in a statement.

He called on the military to immediately release the arrested members of the government and parliament, including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

2:15pm

Lawmakers’ residences under watch by army

Security forces in Myanmar’s capital are guarding the residences of members of parliament, two lawmakers said on Monday, after a coup against the elected government.

Military trucks have blocked exits of the compound that contains the municipal housing where legislators live during house sessions, representative Sai Lynn Myat said. Those inside were in good health but were not allowed to leave.

1:45pm

Myanmar health minister quits amid ‘evolving situation’.

Myanmar’s health minister said on Monday he was leaving his post because of the “evolving situation” in the country, after the military seized power.

In a message on the health ministry’s official Facebook page, Myint Htwe urged colleagues to continue to serve the population, especially with the coronavirus epidemic and vaccinations. He did not say whether his departure was voluntary or by force.

1:15pm

Coup shows no concern for country: Senior Myanmar leader

A senior leader of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party said the decision by General Min Aung Hlaing to stage a coup at a time when Myanmar was struggling with the pandemic showed personal ambitions rather than concern for the country.

“The country’s economy is going down. At this time, the fact that he conducted a coup shows that he doesn’t think about the future,” Win Htein said on a video posted on Facebook.

12:05pm

China calls for all sides to ‘resolve differences’

Beijing called for all parties in Myanmar to “resolve their differences” after the military seized power and detained democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar and hopes the various parties in Myanmar will appropriately resolve their differences under the constitutional and legal framework to protect political and social stability,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing. Wang said China – which shares a border with Myanmar – was still “furthering our understanding of the situat

11:50am

Boris Johnson condemns coup

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday he condemned the coup in Myanmar after the military in the Asian country seized power, saying Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders must be freed.

“I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar,” Johnson said on Twitter. “The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released.”

11:25am

EU Council head Michel condemns military’s seizure of power in Myanmar

European Council President Charles Michel on Monday condemned the military’s seizure of power in Myanmar and demanded that it release of all those it had detained in raids across the country.

“The outcome of the elections has to be respected and democratic process needs to be restored,” Michel, who heads the body that represents the EU’s 27 national leaders, wrote on his Twitter account.

10:35 am

Malaysia calls for peaceful resolution to Myanmar electoral dispute

Malaysia on Monday called on all parties in Myanmar to resolve any electoral disputes peacefully after the military seized power and detained members of the democratically elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Malaysia supports the continuation of discussion among Myanmar’s leaders to avoid adverse consequences to the people and state of Myanmar, especially in the current, difficult Covid-19 pandemic situation,” Malaysia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

10:05am

Aung San Suu Kyi calls on public not to accept a coup

Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD) Party on Monday said its leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on the public not to accept a coup by the military and urged them to protest.

“The actions of the military are actions to put the country back under a dictatorship,” the NLD said in a statement which carried leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s name. “I urge people not to accept this, to respond and wholeheartedly to protest against the coup by the military.”

9:40am

All banks in Myanmar closed

All Myanmar banks throughout the country were closed Monday following a military coup, declaration of a state of emergency and the detention of de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“All member banks of Myanmar Banks Association are to close their bank unanimously starting from February 1,” according to an announcement by the association, which said it was due to a poor internet connection.

9:30am

India expresses ‘deep concern’ over Myanmar developments

India on Monday expressed “deep concern” on the developments in Myanmar and said it believes that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is monitoring the situation closely.

“We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely,” the ministry statement read.

7:45am

Singapore expresses ‘grave’ concern over Myanmar situation, urges restraint

Singapore has “grave” concern about the unfolding situation in Myanmar and urged all sides to show restraint and work towards a peaceful outcome, its foreign ministry said on Monday.

“Singapore expresses grave concern about the latest situation in Myanmar. We are monitoring the situation closely and hope all parties involved will exercise restraint, maintain dialogue, and work towards a positive and peaceful outcome,” the foreign ministry said in an emailed statement.

7:45am

UN chief urges Myanmar military to respect will of the people

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the detention of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders and “urges the military leadership to respect the will of the people of Myanmar,” a UN spokesman said on Sunday.

“These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. “All leaders must act in the greater interest of Myanmar’s democratic reform, engaging in meaningful dialogue, refraining from violence and fully respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

7:30am

Top US diplomat Blinken calls to release Suu Kyi, others

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday called on Myanmar military leaders to release civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others detained in overnight raids in the country, according to a statement.

Blinken said the United States expressed “grave concern and alarm” over reports of the detention of government officials and civil society leaders.

“We call on Burmese military leaders to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in democratic elections on November 8,” Blinken said.

“The United States stands with the people of Burma in their aspirations for democracy, freedom, peace, and development. The military must reverse these actions immediately.”

7am

Myanmar’s military declared a one-year state of emergency on Monday and appointed a general as acting president, after arresting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior officials.

An announcement on military-owned Myawaddy TV said the move was needed to preserve the “stability” of the state, accusing the country’s election commission of failing to address “huge irregularities” in the November election.

The Irrawaddy, an established online news service, reported that State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi Suu Kyi, the nation’s top leader, and the country’s president, Win Myint, were both detained before dawn Monday. The news service cited Myo Nyunt, a spokesman for Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy party.

Its report said that the party’s Central Executive Committee members, lawmakers and regional Cabinet members had also been taken into custody.

6:30am

Myanmar military television says the military has taken control of the country for one year.

An announcer on military-owned Myawaddy TV made the announcement Monday morning. The announcement follows days of concern about the threat of a military coup and comes as the country’s new Parliament session was to begin.

The Irrawaddy, an established online news service, reported that State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi Suu Kyi, the nation’s top leader, and the country’s president, Win Myint, were both detained before dawn Monday. The news service cited Myo Nyunt, a spokesman for Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy party.

Its report said that the party’s Central Executive Committee members, lawmakers and regional Cabinet members had also been taken into custody.

The US, Australia and others have expressed concern about the actions.

6:10am

The US and Australia have expressed concerned about a reported coup in Myanmar and urged its military to respect the rule of law.

“The United States is alarmed by reports that the Burmese military has taken steps to undermine the country’s democratic transition, including the arrest of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials in Burma,” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement from Washington. Burma is the former name of Myanmar.

She said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the reported developments.

“The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed,” the statement said.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne called for the release of Suu Kyi and others detained. “We strongly support the peaceful reconvening of the National Assembly, consistent with the results of the November 2020 general election,” she said.

4:45am.

Reports says a military coup has taken place in Myanmar and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained under house arrest.

Online news portal Myanmar Now cited unidentified sources about the arrest of Suu Kyi and her party’s chairperson early Monday and did not have further details.

All communications to Naypyitaw appeared to have been cut, and Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party could not be reached.

Myanmar lawmakers were to gather Monday for the first session of Parliament since last year’s election, with tension lingering over recent comments by the military that were widely seen as threatening a coup.