The Group of Seven largest developed economies have condemned the military coup in Myanmar saying it is deeply concerned about the fate of detained political leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi.
Myanmar's military stand guard at around Sin Bin Guest House in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Photo: AFP
"We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in condemning the coup in Myanmar," they said in a statement.
"We are deeply concerned by the detention of political leaders and civil society activists, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and targeting of the media."
The G7 foreign ministers called on the military to end the state of emergency and allow unrestricted humanitarian access to support the most vulnerable.
"We call upon the military to immediately end the state of emergency, restore power to the democratically-elected government, to release all those unjustly detained and to respect human rights and the rule of law," the G7 said.
"The November election results must be respected and Parliament should be convened at the earliest opportunity."
Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry has rejected the suggestion that it supported or gave tacit consent to the coup.
"Relevant theories are not true. As Myanmar's friendly neighbouring country, we wish that all sides in Myanmar can appropriately resolve their differences, and uphold political and social stability," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in response to a question at a daily briefing.
The Chinese government's top diplomat met last month during a scheduled visit to the Myanmar capital with officials including the country's military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who this week seized power in the coup.
-Reuters