HUNDREDS ARRESTED IN BIGGEST ANTI-COUP PROTEST

Supporters of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi clashed with police on Friday as hundreds of thousands joined nationwide pro-democracy demonstrations in defiance of the military junta’s call to halt mass gatherings.

The united Nations human rights office said more than 350 people, including officials, activists and monks, have been arrested in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 coup.

The un rights investigator for Myanmar told a special session of the Human rights Council in Geneva that there were “growing reports, photographic evidence” that security forces have used live ammunition against protesters, in violation of international law.

Special rapporteur Thomas Andrews urged the Security Council to consider imposing sanctions and arms embargoes.

Myint Thu, Myanmar’s ambassador to the united Nations in Geneva, told the session that Myanmar did not want “to stall the nascent democratic transition in the country,” and would continue international co-operation.

Friday’s mostly peaceful protests were the biggest so far, and came a day after Washington imposed sanctions on generals who led the takeover.

STR/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Myanmar police arrest a protester on Friday at a demonstration in Mawlamyine, Mon State, against the country’s military coup.