A military coup in Myanmar ... The army arrests the president and declares emergency
English - Monday 01 February 2021 الساعة 03:11 pm
NewsYemen, agencies:
The army in Myanmar, Southeast Asia, carried out a coup Monday morning, after arresting the country's president and a number of other leaders, most notably Leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
He also took control of the state television building.
The army declared a state of emergency for a year, confirming the arrest of a number of senior government leaders in response to what it described as "fraud in the general elections last year."
And he announced in a statement on an army-owned television that the authority had been transferred to the Commander of the Armed Forces, General Min Aung Hliang.
Spokesman Myo Nyunt told Reuters that Suki, the country's president and other leaders were "arrested" in the early hours of the morning, while the army took control of Rangoon City Hall.
The spokesman also called on the people not to respond to these steps recklessly, saying, "I would like the citizens to act in accordance with the law," adding that he is expected to be arrested as well.
The arrests came at a time when Parliament was scheduled to hold its first session within hours for the last legislative elections.
In addition, local media reported that the Myanmar army has spread to the capital Naypyidaw and cut off Internet service. Local TV said on Facebook that it was unable to broadcast.
America threatens to respond
At the same time, the United States condemned the arrests, and demanded the immediate release of the elected leaders.
It also threatened, saying that it would take action against Myanmar officials if the detainees were not released.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government announced that it has no plans to return its citizens from Myanmar, but is monitoring the situation.
It is noteworthy that the past days witnessed increased tension between the civilian government and the army, which raised fears of a coup in the wake of elections that the army described as rigged.
For several weeks, the army has been denouncing fraud during the legislative elections that took place last November, which the National League for Democracy won by an overwhelming majority.
During a press conference last week, the army spokesman, Zhao Min Tun, said that the elections were "neither free nor fair," on the pretext of the Covid-19 pandemic. And the army talked about ten million cases of fraud, calling for an investigation into the matter.
Fears also escalated when Army Chief General Min Aung Hling, considered the most powerful figure in Burma, said that the constitution could be "nullified" under certain circumstances.
The army chief’s statements about the constitution alarmed the embassies of more than ten countries in addition to the United Nations, while small Burmese political parties called for a settlement between Suu Kyi and the army.
On Friday, the embassies of more than a ten countries, including the United States, urged Burma to "adhere to democratic standards." And wrote "We oppose any attempt to change the election results or impede the democratic transition in Burma,".
