Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has sought to defend the violence committed by her country’s army against the minority Rohingya Muslims.
Suu Kyi spoke by telephone on Tuesday with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has pressed world leaders to do more to help a population of roughly 1.1 million he says are facing genocide.
In a statement issued by her office on Facebook, Suu Kyi said the government had "already started defending all the
people in Rakhine State in the best way possible" and warned against misinformation that could mar relations with other countries.
Suu Kyi has come under increasing pressure from Arab and Muslim countries as the United Nations urged her to put an end to the violence that has forced around 125,000 Rohingya to flee to nearby Bangladesh.
The attacks on Rohingya Muslims represent the death of ethical values in the international system, the Muslim World League said on Wednesday.
The MWL called for immediate intervention and support for the Rohingya, at both local and international levels.
Global peace was at stake unless those involved in the violence were held to account, it said.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi condemned the violence against the Rohingya, saying it helps nurture terrorism and extremist thoughts.
He also urged Myanmar’s authorities to assume their responsibility in protecting the rights of the Muslim minority.
Jordan and Bahrain also condemned the crimes and brutal massacres committed against the Rohingya.
