The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has condemned the use of lethal force against protestors in Myanmar, after two anti-coup protesters were killed in firing by security forces on a rally in Mandalay city.

In a statement, the UN Chief said the use of lethal force, intimidation and harassment against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable.

Myanmar’s military authorities have gradually ratcheted up their tactics against a massive and largely peaceful civil disobedience campaign demanding the return of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.