The United States on Monday reiterated its call for the military regime in Burma(Myanmar) to "cease immediately the use of violence, release all those unjustly detained, and return Burma’s path to a genuine and inclusive democracy". US Secretary of State Antony Blinken released the statement on the occasion of Myanmar's Independence Day. "On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my support for the people of Burma as they celebrate their Independence Day on January 4," Blinken said. READ: Myanmar, Burma and why the different names matter "We honor the people of Burma who are striving to restore an inclusive path to democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law for all people in the country.  The United States remains committed to the people of Burma, who will not give up hope for a better future, even as they suffer horrific abuses by the regime," the statement also said.

This week, the military upended years of quasi-democratic rule in Myanmar, with soldiers taking control of the country in a carefully orchestrated coup. The military said the seizure of power was necessary because the government had failed to act on its unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in November elections, which the party of the country’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, won in a landslide. It claims the takeover was constitutional.