Myanmar junta sends ministry bureaucrat to ASEAN meeting in Laos

Military-ruled Myanmar sent a government official to Monday's meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Laos, Indonesia's top diplomat said, insisting the move was in line with ASEAN's policy on the conflict-torn country's attendance.

Retno Marsudi, in a text message to Reuters, said the junta had sent the acting permanent secretary of its foreign ministry. ASEAN bars Myanmar's generals from attending key meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over their lack of progress in pursuing a peace plan.

"Myanmar shall not affect ASEAN decision making" Retno said.