Myanmar army general excluded from leaders` summit

The army general who seized power in Myanmar in February has been excluded from an annual summit of regional leaders later this month, reports BBC today.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) agreed to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar instead of Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

It is a unprecedented move for the 10-member bloc, which traditionally avoids interfering in its members' affairs.

Myanmar's military junta said it was "disappointed" with the decision.

Asean said the military had not done enough to end the turmoil in Myanmar.

In August, Gen Min Aung Hlaing named himself prime minister and said the country's state of emergency would be extended as fighting between the army and militia forces opposed to the military coup continued.

Asean said in a statement that an emergency meeting of its foreign ministers on Friday was unable to reach a consensus on whether the military should represent Myanmar at the summit held between 26-28 October.

Agencies