Myanmar's military leader has made his first national address as tens of thousands of people took to the streets for a third day to protest against the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government.
In the address on Monday, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sought to justify the coup and said his junta would hold a new election and hand power to the winner.
He did not say when the election would be held, but repeated claims that last November's poll, won by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, had been fraudulent.
In the capital Naypyitaw, crowds of protesters chanted anti-coup slogans and told police they should serve the people, not the military, according to media and a live feed of events.
Police turned a water cannon on protesters and warned that they might use live fire if the demonstrators did not disperse, but the protests ended without bloodshed.
Demonstrations also took place in the commercial capital Yangon and elsewhere.
Gatherings have so far been largely peaceful, unlike bloody crackdowns on previous protests, in 1988 and 2007 in particular, when hundreds were killed.
The US Embassy said it had received reports that a curfew had been imposed in Yangon and Mandalay, the second-biggest city, from 8pm to 4am local time.
Demonstrators holding placards showing detained democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, during a protest against the military coup in Myanmar. Source: EPA
The generals had already tried to justify their takeover on the grounds of election fraud - rejected by the election committee - and had promised a new poll.
Min Aung Hlaing reiterated that position in his address on Monday, saying the junta would form a "true and disciplined democracy" different to previous eras of military rule.
The election committee must be reformed, he said.
He accused it of using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to prevent fair campaigning.
"We will have a multiparty election and we will hand the power to the one who wins in that election, according to the rules of democracy," he said.
Demonstrators hold a banner during a protest against the military coup at downtown area in Yangon, Myanmar. Source: EPA
He gave no time frame but the junta has said a state of emergency will last one year.
Upping the stakes in the crisis, state media had earlier signalled possible action against protesters.
"We, the whole people who value justice, freedom, equality, peace and safety, not only refuse to accept the lawless wrongdoers but also request that they be prevented and removed through cooperation," the MRTV television station said in a comment that was later read out on a military-owned network.
Calls to join protests have grown louder and more organised since the coup, which drew widespread international condemnation.
A demonstrators holds a placard reading 'Reject The Military' during a protest against the military coup at downtown area in Yangon, Myanmar. Source: EPA
"Our message to the public is that we aim to completely abolish this military regime and we have to fight for our destiny," Aye Misan, a nurse at a government hospital said at a protest in Yangon.
Thousands also marched also in the southeastern city of Dawei and in the Kachin state capital in the far north, the massive crowds reflecting a rejection of military rule by diverse ethnic groups.
In Yangon, a group of saffron-robed monks marched with workers and students, flying multicoloured Buddhist flags alongside red banners in the League's colour.
"Release Our Leaders, Respect Our Votes, Reject Military Coup," said one sign.
Demonstrators take part in a mass protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. Source: EPA
The protests are the biggest since the "Saffron Revolution" led by monks in 2007, which led over subsequent years to the military's gradual withdrawal from politics after decades of direct rule.
Detained leader Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for campaigning for democracy and spent nearly 15 years under house as she struggled to end almost half a century of army rule.
The 75-year-old has been kept incommunicado since army chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power.
