The outgoing U.N. special envoy on Myanmar says the chance for Myanmar to return to democracy is disappearing and therefore further targeted sanctions could be helpful, according to a Reuters report.

Christine Schraner Burgener, who is stepping down after more than three-and-a-half years in the role, told the UN General Assembly in June that there was a real risk of large-scale civil war after the military seized power on Feb. 1, detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected government leaders, according to the report.

When asked on Thursday if there was now a civil war, she said: "In the international law terminology we use internal armed conflict and I would use this terminology now."

Schraner Burgener said it was "very important" that governments and the United Nations do not signal any acceptance of the junta and that the will of the people - who voted a year ago to elect Suu Kyi's government - was protected.

The United Nations is faced with rival claims on who will sit in Myanmar's seat at the world body.

The envoy says she is concerned that the Myanmar military has no interest in compromise or in a dialogue and that the opportunity to help put Myanmar back on the path to democracy, democratic reform is narrowing and therefore I urge the member states to act.