ASEAN To Myanmar Junta Leader: End The Killings, Free Political Prisoners

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has demanded the immediate cessation of violence and the release of political detainees in Myanmar, calling on all parties in the country to exercise "utmost restraint," the Associated Press reported Sunday.

In the two-hour talks in Jakarta, ASEAN leaders told Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing that a dialogue between disputing parties in Myanmar should immediately start with the help of ASEAN diplomats.

Myanmar - a member of the 10-country ASEAN - has been in tumult since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a military takeover on February 1, sparking a mass rioting from all corners of society demanding for the restoration of democracy.

The military regime has also throttled communications across the country, enforcing a nightly internet shutdown and nearly cutting off mobile data and throwing the country into an information blackout.

ASEAN leaders demanded a commitment from junta leader Hlaing to keep his security forces under control. According to an activist monitoring organization, Haing's soldiers have killed 745 people since a mass protest broke out to challenge his military control.

"The situation in Myanmar is unacceptable and should not continue. Violence must be stopped, democracy, stability and peace in Myanmar must be returned immediately," AP quoted Indonesian President Joko Widodo as saying during the meeting.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on the junta to release Myanmar's overthrown President Win Myint and democracy leader Suu Kyi who is under house arrest.

While ASEAN leaders said they heard calls for the "release of all political prisoners," a commitment for their freedom was not included in the consensus statement.

The leaders of Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei were present during the meeting, along with diplomats from Thailand, the Philippines and Laos.