Myanmar coup: UNSC holds meeting for consensus to send clear signal supporting democracy

The UN Security Council on Tuesday began an emergency meeting to discuss about the Myanmar coup.

The behind-closed-doors discussions, held by video conference, started at 10:00 am in New York (1500 GMT) and is expected to last two hours, AFP reported.

The world body's Myanmar envoy Christine Schraner Burgener urged the Security Council to "collectively send a clear signal in support of democracy in Myanmar", Reuters reported.

The council is negotiating a possible statement that would condemn the coup, call for the military to respect the rule of law and human rights, and immediately release those unlawfully detained, diplomats said. Consensus is needed in the 15-member council for such statements.

"The military's proposal to hold elections again should be discouraged," Schraner Burgener told a private meeting of the council, according to her prepared remarks.

It is due to discuss a draft text calling for a return to civilian power following the country's military coup.

China, which has deep ties to the military in Myanmar, has stayed largely quiet, but a diplomat with China's UN mission said it would be difficult to reach consensus on the draft statement.

"We are of the view that any action by the Council should contribute to political and social stability of Myanmar and its peace and reconciliation, avoiding escalating the tension or further complicating the situation," the diplomat said.

US State Department officials said the takeover had been determined to constitute a coup d'etat, triggering restrictions in foreign assistance. Humanitarian aid, including to the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority, and programs that promote democracy or benefit civil society would continue.

The administration of President Joe Biden has threatened to reimpose sanctions on the generals who seized power.

In the biggest public display of anger so far, people in Yangon chanted "evil be gone" in their loud protests.

"It is a Myanmar tradition to drive away evil or bad karma by beating tin or metal buckets," said Yangon resident San Tint.