AT LEAST six people were killed as security forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters in Myanmar today, with many more injured, as protests continued in major towns and cities.

Two were shot dead in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, while four were reported to have been killed in the town of Monywa in the central Sagaing region.

Peaceful demonstrations have continued, while talks at the Association of South-East Asian Nations have remained in deadlock.

Just four members — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore — have called for the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others who have been detained since the military seized power on February 1.

The United Nations spoke of a “unique situation” after the junta sent a letter saying that the Myanmar ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun had been sacked and replaced by his deputy.

It came after the representative made an emotional plea to the UN general assembly meeting last Friday to take strong action to restore democracy to the country.

The nine-member UN credentials committee, which reports to the general assembly, will make a final decision on the matter.