Myanmar envoy appeals to U.N. to stop coup as police break up protests

Riot police officers stand guard during a rally against the military coup at the University of Yangon, in Yangon, Myanmar, February 25, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

(Reuters) - Myanmar's U.N. envoy urged the United Nations to use "any means necessary" to stop a military coup there, making a surprise appeal on behalf of the ousted government as police cracked down on anti-junta protesters.

The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the army seized power on Feb. 1 and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership, alleging fraud in a November election her party had won.