Myanmar coup: Biden says US will sanction military leaders and family members

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The United States has announced plans to sanction military leaders in Myanmar following last week's coup.

Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, president Joe Biden said he has approved an executive order that will prevent Myanmar's generals and their family members from accessing $1bn in assets in the US.

Mr Biden added that the US will “impose strong export controls” and is considering additional measures against those involved in the 1 February power grab that deposed and detained Myanmar's democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, president Win Myint and others.

"The military must relinquish power it seized and demonstrate respect for the will of the people of Burma," Mr Biden said.

Before the president spoke from the White House, large crowds demonstrating against the military takeover again took to the streets in Myanmar.

Police have increased their force against protesters in recent days and have raided the headquarters of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

Witnesses estimated that tens of thousands of protesters turned out in Yangon and Mandalay, the country's biggest cities. Rallies also took place in the capital, Naypyitaw, and elsewhere.

The protesters are demanding that power be restored to Ms Suu Kyi's civilian government. They're also seeking freedom for her and other governing party members detained by the military after it blocked the new session of parliament on 1 February.

The military cited the government's failure to act on unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud as part of the reason for the takeover and declaration of a one-year state of emergency.

The generals maintain the actions are legally justified, and have cited an article in the constitution that allows the military to take over in times of emergency.

Ms Suu Kyi's party has said it's effectively a coup.

The Biden administration also was quick to officially determine the takeover was a coup, setting the stage for Wednesday's announcement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report