UK amongst seven nations calling on ban of arms sales to Myanmar
The UK are amongst seven nations calling for the international community to stop all assistance to Myanmar's military.
The joint statement expressed grave consent over reports of human rights abuses by Myanmar's security forces.
It called on the international community "to suspend all operational support to the military, and to cease the transfer of arms, material, dual-use equipment, and technical assistance to the military and its representatives".
It said the countries were "concerned about allegations of weapons stockpiling and attacks by the military, including shelling and airstrikes,[and the] use of heavy weapons".
The statement comes as fears of an escalation of violence grow in the South East Asian nation, formerly Burma, whose army is attempting to crush an increasingly active armed opposition movement seeking to end military rule.
It also said it was concerned about "the deployment of thousands of troops accompanying what security forces assert are counter-terrorism operations, which are disproportionately impacting civilians".
Watch: UK Defence Chief signs joint letter condemning Myanmar military violence.
It said the rights violations include "credible reports of sexual violence and torture", and highlighted the north-west of the country, where tens of thousands of people are reported to have been displaced by government attacks.
The countries issuing the statement - the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea and the UK - have already embargoed arms sales to the country.
They have also instituted targeted diplomatic and economic sanctions meant to put pressure on the ruling generals behind the takeover.
Such measures, although hurting Myanmar's economy, have done little to help restore democracy and peace.
China and Russia are allies of the military-installed government, and as members of the UN Security Council, have in effect blocked concerted international action to isolate the generals.
Watch: Indo-Pacific region - Why is the UK interested?
Beijing and Moscow are also the top suppliers of arms to Myanmar.
Friday’s statement, released by the US State Department, applauded a consensus declared earlier this month by the UN Security Council that called for "the immediate cessation of violence, protection of civilians, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access".
The consensus, issued as a press statement, has no binding power and falls short of the influence a formal resolution would carry.
Myanmar's crisis escalated quickly after February's military takeover, which sparked widespread non-violent pro-democracy demonstrations.
Security forces used lethal force to put down the protests, killing almost 1,300 civilians, according to a tally kept by a political prisoner research organisation.
The repression led the military's opponents to take up arms, and UN experts have said the country now risks sliding into civil war.
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