NAYPYITAW, 28 April, 2021 (TON): Myanmar’s pro-democracy unity government claims to withdraw the talks until the junta releases all political prisoners.

The unity government that includes members of parliament ousted by the military coup said it to the Southeast Asia's regional bloc.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been trying to find a path for Myanmar out of a bloody crisis triggered by the 1 February coup and has called for an end to violence and talks between all sides.

But the junta has already declined to accept proposals to resolve the crisis that emerged from an ASEAN summit last weekend that was attended by Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, but no-one from the civilian side.

"Before any constructive dialogue can take place, however, there must be an unconditional release of political prisoners including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," the NUG prime minister, Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, said in a statement.

Win Myint and Suu Kyi have been detained since the coup, which the military launched as Suu Kyi's government was preparing for a second term after sweeping a November election.

However, the military said it had to seize power because its complaints of fraud in the election were not being addressed by an election commission that deemed the vote fair.