US says Myanmar emergency extension prolongs ‘illegitimate rule’

THE United States denounced the Myanmar junta’s extension of a state of emergency yesterday, saying it prolonged suffering two years after a coup toppled an elected government.

“The United States strongly opposes the Burma military regime’s decision to extend the state of emergency, prolonging the military’s illegitimate rule and the suffering it inflicts upon the country,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said, using Myanmar’s former name.