US President Joe Biden threatens Myanmar with sanctions after military coup

President Joe Biden has threatened new sanctions on Myanmar after its military staged a coup and arrested the civilian leaders of its government, including its leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Biden assailed the country's army for the coup, calling it a "direct assault on the country's transition to democracy and rule of law". The coup in Myanmar, also known as Burma, has also been roundly condemned internationally.

"The United States removed sanctions on Burma over the past decade based on progress toward democracy," Biden said in a statement. "The reversal of that progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanction laws and authorities, followed by appropriate action. The United States will stand up for democracy wherever it is under attack."

Myanmar has been a Western democracy promotion project for decades and had been a symbol of some success. But over the past several years, there have been growing concerns about its backsliding into authoritarianism. Disappointment with Suu Kyi, the former opposition leader, has run high, especially over her resistance to reining in repression of Rohingya Muslims in the country's west.

A vehicle with Myanmar and military flags and supporters of the Myanmar military near the Kyauktada police station in Yangon, Myanmar. Photo / AP

Myanmar had been emerging from decades of strict military rule and international isolation that began in 1962, and Monday's events were a shocking fall from power for Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her work promoting democracy and human rights.

She had lived under house arrest for years as she tried to push her country toward democracy and then became its de facto leader after her National League for Democracy won elections in 2015.

Buddhist monks hold placards as they participate in a rally protesting election results by supporters of the Myanmar military. Photo / AP

New Zealand has called for the release of Suu Kyi and the other political leaders. "We call for the swift release of all of those detained, and for any issues to be resolved through peaceful dialogue. An election has taken place and the democratic will of the people should be respected," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement yesterday.

There are 58 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as currently being in Myanmar, and MFAT is advising New Zealanders in the country to avoid any unnecessary travel.

- AP