UN warns Myanmar military as generals defend power grab

The United Nations has warned the Myanmar military of “severe consequences” if it responds harshly to the protests that have taken place across the country following the February 1 coup, as the junta leaders justified anew on Tuesday the seizure of power from civilian control.

“Ms Schraner Burgener has reinforced that the right of peaceful assembly must fully be respected and that demonstrators are not subjected to reprisals,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in New York, referring to the UN special envoy who spoke to the deputy head of the junta.