YANGON: Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council agreed Monday to extend the country's state of emergency by six months, state media said, likely delaying elections the junta had pledged to hold by August. Acting president Myint Swe announced the decision to prolong the state of emergency — declared when the generals toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's government in February 2021 — for another six months, according to state broadcaster MRTV. AFP PHOTO/ Myanmar's Military Information Team This handout photograph taken and released by the Myanmar's Military Information Team on July 31, 2023, shows Soe Win (left) Myanmar's military Deputy Commander in Chief of Defense Services speak during a defense and security council meeting in Naypyidaw. AFP PHOTO/ Myanmar's Military Information TeamThe state of emergency was due to expire at the end of July but on Monday the junta-stacked National Defense and Security Council met to discuss the state of the nation. Myint Swe told the meeting that the "state of emergency period would be extended another six months starting from August 1st, 2023."

Source: Manila Times July 31, 2023 17:59 UTC