AFP/Mizzima

The Karen National Union (KNU) has called on the Myanmar Military junta to withdraw from taking part in politics.

The KNU, a key ethnic rebel group, released a letter Friday addressed to junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, acknowledging an invitation from the regime to meet.

"The KNU finds it completely unacceptable that police and (the military), whose responsibilities are to protect and defend its own people, have killed, attacked, and threatened peaceful protesters," said the letter, dated March 22.

It called for the release of all those detained since the coup, a halt to acts of "violence", and for the military to "withdraw from active engagement in politics".

"(The) KNU can meet with him only after the Tatmadaw (military) implements the following essential wishes of the people," it said.

The group - which has been fighting the military for decades for more autonomy - is currently sheltering hundreds of anti-coup protesters who have fled to their militia-controlled territory in the country's east.

International players have heaped condemnation and sanctions on the generals.

The latest came from the United States and former colonial power Britain, which has targeted a huge military-owned conglomerate that gives the army chiefs access to enormous wealth.

AFP