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Singapore expresses 'grave' concern over Myanmar situation, urges restraint
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on early Monday 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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Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (center) speaks during the ASEAN foreign ministers' interface with representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in Singapore, on Aug. 1, 2018. (ASEAN2018 Organizing Committee/ASEAN2018 Organizing Committee)
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ingapore 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.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on early Monday 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.
Myanmar's army declared a state of emergency on Monday as it said it carried out detentions of senior government leaders in response to fraud during last year's general election.
A video address broadcast on military-owned television said power had been handed to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
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."
Longtime Cambodian leader Hun Sen on Monday referred to Myanmar's military coup as "internal affairs" of the country and declined further comment.
"Cambodia does not comment on the internal affairs of any country at all, either within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) framework or any other country," said Hun Sen, who himself seized full control in 1997 from his elected coalition partner and whose party has been in power since.
