New York, NY (BBN) – The United Nations envoy for Burma met with the country’s president on Tuesday and discussed the state of emergency that has been declared in northern Rakhine state following the recent outbreak of violence.
The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Burma, officially known as Myanmar, Vijay Nambiar, is currently in the South-east Asian nation to participate in a meeting with government leaders, including President Thein Sein, in the capital, Naypyitaw.
He and the president discussed the state of emergency and the need for the Government “to continue to handle the situation transparently and with respect for human rights and the rule of law, consistent with President Thein Sein’s recent statement in order that the cycle of violence is broken and the broader reform process not adversely affected,” UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York.
Mr. Nambiar’s visit follows the one made by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in late April, during which he pledged the UN’s continued support for Myanmar as it continues with the process of national reconciliation and democratic transition begun last year by Mr. Sein.
The violence in Rakhine state, reported to be between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, has left at least a dozen civilians dead and hundreds of homes destroyed since last Friday, according to media reports.
BBN/SSR/AD-13June12-12:42 pm (BST)
