Junta, opposition set to extend ceasefire

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

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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 to run the country.

In late March a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the country, killing over 3,600 people and creating a humanitarian crisis.

Mr Anwar, who is also the chair of the Asean regional bloc, has since Thursday 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.

“My initial exchange with both the SAC prime minister and NUG has been very successful,” he said.