UN has first contact with Myanmar military since state of emergency

The United Nations has had its first contact with the military in Myanmar since the country announced a one-year state of emergency this week, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday, repeating calls for civilian leaders to be freed.

"Our special envoy today had a first contact in which she expressed clearly our position to the deputy military commander," Guterres told reporters, referring to Swiss diplomat Christine Schraner Burgener.

The declaration of the state of emergency came after the military detained President U Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government figures of the National League for Democracy (NLD) early on Monday.

Guterres has branded the military takeover "absolutely unacceptable."

A spokesperson for China's Permanent Mission to the UN said on Thursday that China hopes all sides in Myanmar will put the aspiration and interests of the people first.

The spokesperson reiterated China's stance, calling on all parties in Myanmar to properly handle differences through dialogue within the constitutional and legal framework, and to safeguard political and social stability.

The international community should create a sound external environment for Myanmar to properly resolve the differences, the spokesperson said.

(CGTN)