Myanmar Junta and Opposition Set to Extend Ceasefire: Anwar

Malaysian PM Seeking to Curb Conflict to Allow More Earthquake Aid into Country

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BANGKOK - Myanmar's junta and a key opposition group have indicated they will extend a ceasefire to support more aid efforts, following a devastating earthquake, said Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on April 18, after rare high-level talks with the ruling military.

Myanmar has been in the throes of an expanding conflict since the military, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, ousted an elected government in 2021 and formed the State Administration Council (SAC) to run the country.

In late March, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country, killing more than 3,600 people and creating a humanitarian crisis.

Datuk Seri Anwar, who is also chair of the regional Asean bloc, has since April 17 held talks with Myanmar's junta chief and the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) that is battling the military, seeking to curb the ongoing conflict to push aid into the country.

"There will be a ceasefire and no unnecessary provocations, because otherwise, the whole humanitarian exercise would fail," Mr Anwar told reporters in Bangkok.