UN statement on Myanmar blocked

UNITED NATIONS: China and Russia blocked the United Nations Security Council from issuing on Friday (Saturday in Manila) a statement expressing concern at the violence and serious humanitarian situation in Myanmar and the "limited progress" on implementing a regional plan to restore peace to the strife-torn Southeast Asian nation, diplomats said.

The council was briefed virtually behind closed doors on Friday afternoon by Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, special envoy for Myanmar for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), and UN envoy for Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer on efforts to resolve the crisis in the country since the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup.