Myanmar's defense chief reiterates readiness to sign nationwide ceasefire agreement

Myanmar's Commander-In-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has reiterated readiness for signing nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), according to military-run Myawaddy Daily Saturday.

Addressing the military meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday, Min Aung Hlaing urged all parties to use foresight when discussing issues involving ethnic armed groups and other internal affairs.

The ethnic groups are given equal rights and opportunities based on federal system, he said.

The government has invited 15 armed groups to initially sign the NCA as the first batch, while keeping the door open for step- by-step signing to other remaining non-invited groups after their respective specific demands are met by the government.

Regarding the upcoming general election set for Nov. 8, he stressed that the armed forces prefer representatives who can work in the interests of the nation through their political, economic, administrative and defense outlook.

As the pre-election period, election period and post-election period are important, the security matters will be done by military in cooperation with Ministry of Home Affairs, he said.

Meanwhile, Myanmar Police Force is planning to introduce security measures nationwide in four phases with the upcoming general election and deploy nearly 20,000 police force in constituencies in three sensitive regions and state of Mandalay, Yangon and Kachin alone. Endi