Myanmar lifts curfew, ban on assembly follow anti-government protests

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Myanmar announced Saturday that it was lifting a curfew imposed following a crackdown on pro-democracy protests and ending a ban on assembly. The move is the latest sign the government senses it has smashed the protests that were sparked in August when authorities sharply raised fuel prices. With support from respected monks, the protests grew to include tens of thousands of people in the largest show of anti-government dissent in decades. The announcement - made by government vehicles passing through neighborhoods - lifts the curfew that had been imposed at one point from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and ends the ban on gatherings of more than five people in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city. It is unclear if the decision also applies to Mandalay, which also has been under a curfew and assembly ban.