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UN Security Council rebukes Burma | UN Security Council rebukes Burma |
(40 minutes later) | |
The UN Security Council has adopted a statement deploring Burma's military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. | The UN Security Council has adopted a statement deploring Burma's military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. |
The agreement came after China lifted its objections to a statement first drafted by the US, UK and France. | The agreement came after China lifted its objections to a statement first drafted by the US, UK and France. |
It represents the first time the 15-nation body has taken any formal action over Burma. | |
The move indicates a shift of position by China, which had previously used its veto to stop the council from criticising Burma's military junta. | |
The statement "strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators" in Burma and calls on the junta and all other parties "to work together toward a de-escalation of the situation and a peaceful solution". | |
It also calls for the early release of "all political prisoners and remaining detainees", urging the junta to prepare for a "genuine dialogue" with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. | |
The statement - which, unlike a resolution, requires the consent of all 15 council members to be adopted - was issued by Ghana's UN Ambassador Leslie Christian, the council's president. | |
Gambari to return | |
Meanwhile, the UN said special envoy Ibrahim Gambari would tour Asia this weekend in a trip expected to culminate in his second visit to Burma since the demonstrations erupted last month. | |
Mr Gambari returned from a four-day visit to the country last week and had not been expected to return until mid-November. | |
His visit is aimed at kick-starting a political dialogue and securing the release of political detainees. |