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UN diplomats speak out on Burma Concern as Burma rallies continue
(about 3 hours later)
Diplomats at the United Nations have expressed concern over the growing unrest in Burma, following days of protests in the military-ruled nation. Buddhist monks in Burma have been taking part in a fourth straight day of anti-government protests, as UN diplomats voiced concern at the unrest.
UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari called for urgent efforts to address Burma's political turmoil, while British and US officials also spoke out on the issue. Some 400 monks chanted prayers and sermons at pagodas in and around the old capital Rangoon before dispersing.
On Thursday, hundreds of Buddhist monks marched at Burma's most revered temple. Several hundred have taken part in protests this week over recent government attempts to silence them.
It was the third consecutive day of protests by the monks, who have been angered by attempts to silence them. UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari has called for urgent efforts to address the situation.
They want a government apology for the violent break-up of a recent rally, which was triggered by protests over a recent doubling of the price of fuel. Developments in Burma had "raised serious concerns in the international community and once again underscore the urgency to step up our efforts to find solutions to the challenges facing the country", Mr Gambari told the Security Council in a closed briefing, the UN said.
'Serious concerns' US and British officials also spoke on the issue after the briefing.
In a briefing to the Security Council, Mr Gambari called for urgent action.
Developments in Burma had "raised serious concerns in the international community and once again underscore the urgency to step up our efforts to find solutions to the challenges facing the country," he told the closed session, the UN said.
Profile: Shwedagon PagodaProfile: Shwedagon Pagoda
After the briefing, US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad described the situation in Burma as a threat to regional stability. He called on leaders there to allow Mr Gambari into the country as soon as possible. US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said the situation was a threat to regional stability and urged Burmese leaders to allow Mr Gambari into the country as soon as possible.
The British ambassador, John Sawyers, also spoke out. "We certainly are appalled by the steps the regime has taken to silence peaceful protest and to clamp down on dissent," British ambassador John Sawyers was quoted as saying.
"We certainly are appalled by the steps the regime has taken to silence peaceful protest and to clamp down on dissent," the AFP news agency quoted him as saying. Fuel price hikes
Protests have been continuing in Burma since the government decided to double the price of fuel in mid-August. On Friday, more than 200 monks marched through Rangoon to the Shwedagon Pagoda, Burma's most revered temple and focal point of their recent protests.
Supporters lined the streets as the monks converged on the pagoda, chanting prayers and sermons.
Another 200 monks were said to have gathered at two other pagodas on the outskirts of Rangoon.
The numbers appeared to be smaller than at protests earlier in the week, which saw several hundred monks take part in marches around the country.
They have also been withholding religious duties from anyone connected to the military.
The monks want a government apology for the violent break-up of a demonstration in the town of Pakokku on 5 September.
Protests have been ongoing in Burma since the government decided to double the price of fuel in mid-August.
Initial protests were led by activists, dozens of whom have now been arrested.Initial protests were led by activists, dozens of whom have now been arrested.
But monks joined the movement after troops used brute force to break up a demonstration in the town of Pakokku on 5 September.
There have been three days of sizeable protests around the country, and monks are withholding religious duties from anyone connected to the military.
On Thursday, hundreds of monks marched around Rangoon's Shwedagon Pagoda, the former capital's most famous landmark, to show their anger.
The movement has turned into the largest public show of opposition to the Burmese authorities since the uprising of 1988.The movement has turned into the largest public show of opposition to the Burmese authorities since the uprising of 1988.