UN envoy arrives in Malaysia for talks on Myanmar

The United Nations Special Envoy for Myanmar met today with officials in Malaysia, the second stop on a regional tour focusing on the crisis in the Asian nation, where Government forces have used force in responding to peaceful protests.

Ibrahim Gambari met earlier today with Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar in Kuala Lumpur, where they discussed the UN’s efforts in Myanmar and the region’s support in this regard, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

Mr. Gambari was dispatched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to meet with Myanmar’s regional partners about the situation in the troubled country. He arrived in the Malaysian capital this morning following two days of talks with Thai leaders in Bangkok.

After his meeting with the Foreign Minister, Mr. Gambari told journalists that he will deliver a special message from Mr. Ban to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when they meet on Wednesday.

He said the message concerns the support that the UN needs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and neighbouring countries to address the crisis in Myanmar, and the longer-term issues of peace, stability, democratization and human rights in the country.

Following his meeting with the Prime Minister tomorrow, the Special Envoy will head to Jakarta. The six-nation tour will also take him to New Delhi, Tokyo and Beijing.