The Government must take steps for a “genuine dialogue” with Ms. Suu Kyi – a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has been under house arrest for four years and has spent 11 of the past 17 years in detention – and “all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations,” the Council said today. (UN News)

After much behind-the-scenes haggling, the 15-member council -- in its first joint formal action since last month's protests -- said it deplored the crackdown and urged the release of all political prisoners. (AFP)

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is sending the U.N. envoy to Myanmar back to the region next week for consultations with key governments on efforts to promote talks between the junta and the opposition, the U.N. said Thursday. (AP)