US Secretary Blinken calls on Myanmar military leaders 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.

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

The United States expresses grave concern regarding reports the Burmese military has detained multiple civilian government and civil society leaders. The military must reverse these actions immediately.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 1, 2021

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

Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi smiles at Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry in Naypyitaw, Myanmar July 6, 2017. (File photo: Reuters)

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Last Update: Monday, 01 February 2021 KSA 06:56 – GMT 03:56