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Deposed Myanmar Politicians Defy Coup

VOA News

   Nearly 300 members of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's deposed ruling
   party proclaimed Friday to be the only lawful representatives of the
   country's citizenry and called for global recognition as the stewards
   of the country's government.

   The politicians also formed a committee to execute parliamentary
   functions, according to the National League for Democracy's Facebook
   page.

   The party posted a letter on social media to the United Nations and the
   global community requesting targeted sanctions and calling for
   businesses to sever relations with the Myanmar military, which holds
   vast lucrative assets.

   It was not immediately clear whether their declaration would have any
   practical effect, but the NLD vowed to act "in the best interests of
   our people and in the very essence of democracy."

   The NLD's announcement came hours after hundreds of demonstrators took
   to the streets of Myanmar's capital Friday, as the military expanded
   its dragnet against ousted officials.

   In the largest protests since Monday's military coup, protesters at
   Myanmar University and Yangon University, both in Yangon, demanded that
   the military hand power back to Myanmar's elected officials.

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