Myanmar military extends emergency rule until 2023

Myanmar's military regime has extended its emergency rule until 2023 as the country remains riven by internal fighting following last year's coup.

The junta seized power last year after overthrowing Aung Sung Suu Kyi's democratically-elected government.

The military has promised to hold "free and fair" elections in the future.

But on Monday it said it needed more time to stabilise the country. Emergency rule gives it more powers to detain people.

Many in Myanmar are sceptical the the military will hold multi-party elections or transfer state power to an elected government.

Last week, the junta executed four democracy activists in the country's first executions in decades. They included prominent democracy campaigner Ko Jimmy and a former MP and hip-hop artist Phyo Zeya Thaw.

The military government is widely resisted outside the capital Naypyidaw, and there is an active guerrilla front known as the People's Defence Force (PDF).

Gen Min Aung Hlaing also invited the leaders of Myanmar's ethnic rebel armies - which have fought each other and the government for decades - for a second round of talks.

Several rebel groups took part in a first round of talks in May but others which are fighting alongside the PDF did not attend.