Myanmar's Rohingya panel head refutes criticism by outgoing secretary

Surakiart Sathirathai, a former Thai foreign minister and Chairman of the new Rakhine State Advisory Board gestures during an interview with Reuters in Bangkok, Thailand February 1, 2018. REUTERS/Juarawee Kittisilpa

YANGON (Reuters) - The chairman of an international panel set up by Myanmar to advise on the Rohingya crisis has rebutted criticism by the body's former secretary, saying the panel is effective and the government has acted on its recommendations.

Former Thai foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who last year was picked by Myanmar to chair the group, said late on Saturday progress has been made in violence-torn Rakhine State in line with the advice the panel has given to the government.