Malaysia calls for Myanmar truce extension

Post-quake ceasefire to expire in a week

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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.

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 ceasefires beyond the currently affected zones”, a statement said.