Malaysia calls for truce extension

MALAYSIA yesterday called for the extension and expansion of a post-earthquake ceasefire in Myanmar due to run out at the end of May, despite ongoing fighting calling into question its effectiveness.

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The ruling military junta initially declared a truce in the many-sided civil war after a huge quake late March killed nearly 3 800 and left tens of thousands homeless.

The truce has been extended before, although conflict monitors say fighting has continued, including regular junta airstrikes.

At a meeting of regional foreign ministers yesterday, Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Hasan “proposed the extension and expansion of cease-fires beyond the currently affected zones”, a statement said.