United Nations: The UN Security council called for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders arbitrarily detained by the military. The UN Security Council expressed deep concern on Thursday over the declaration of the state of emergency in Myanmar by the military.

The UN council, the 15 nation council agreed upon a press statement on the situation in Myanmar three days after the military seized power in the Southeast Asian nation in a coup and detained top political leaders.

“The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at the declaration of the state of emergency imposed in Myanmar by the military on February 1 and the arbitrary detention of members of the Government, including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint and others. They called for the immediate release of all those detained,” the Security Council said in its first statement on the military’s ouster of the government.

The Security Council members emphasized the need for the continued support of the democratic transition in Myanmar and stressed the need to uphold democratic institutions and processes, refrain from violence, and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. “They encouraged the pursuance of dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar,” the statement, issued by consensus, said.

The Council reiterated the need to address the root causes of the crisis in Rakhine State and to create conditions necessary for the safe, voluntary, sustainable, and dignified return of displaced persons. “The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar,” the statement said.

The members of the Security Council also expressed concern at the restrictions on civil society, journalists and media workers and called for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need, including through the re-establishment of UN relief flights.