London | The United Kingdom has indicated that it will offer its protection to the Burmese ambassador ousted from his representation in London by the junta, after being formally notified of the end of his mandate by the Burmese authorities.
“I salute his courage and his patriotism. We will support him to ensure his security in the United Kingdom, ”tweeted Foreign Secretary Nigel Adams after a meeting Thursday with Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn.
Diplomats close to the junta seized the embassy in central London on Wednesday evening and refused access to Kyaw Zwar Minn, support of the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, overthrown by a coup. ‘Military state on February 1.
British foreign minister Dominic Raab condemned the junta’s “intimidating actions”, but his ministry said it accepted the junta’s decision to end the diplomat’s mandate, after being formally notified.
“Given the bullying behavior towards Mr Minn, we are looking to make sure he can live safely in the UK while he decides his long-term future,” a ministry spokesperson said. of Foreign Affairs, calling for “a speedy restoration of democracy” in Burma.
The ambassador on Wednesday accused a military figure close to the junta of “occupying” his embassy, denouncing “a kind of coup”.
After spending the night in his car, he called on Thursday for help for his country. When asked whether he would be killed if he returned to Burma, this former colonel, who believes that he would be considered a traitor, replied: “Who knows?”
The bloody crackdown by the security forces against the pro-democracy demonstrations that have rocked Burma for more than two months has not weakened and the crisis continues to stir up international waves.
At least 614 civilians were killed by security forces during the protests, according to the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners (AAPP).