UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday a special U.N. envoy is being sent to the region in response to the crumbling situation in Myanmar.
Referring to reports on use of force, arrests and beatings in the country formerly called Burma, Ban called on the military junta "to exercise utmost restraint toward the peaceful demonstrations taking place, as such action can only undermine the prospects for peace, prosperity and stability in Myanmar."
Ban's statement also asked the country's leadership to cooperate with the mission of U.N. Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari "to take advantage of the willingness of the United Nations to assist in the process of national reconciliation through dialogue."
The Myanmar government has not yet accepted Gambari's mission, U.N. spokesperson Marie Okabe said. Gambari will remain the region "and as soon as he gets the green light he will proceed,” she said.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights also urged Myanmar leaders to permit peaceful demonstrations and abide by international human rights law in their response to the protests.
