Pope Francis met leaders of several faiths in majority-Buddhist Burma on Tuesday, stressing the importance of “unity in diversity” but making no mention the Rohingya Muslims who have fled en masse to Bangladesh after a military crackdown.

Burma's army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it.

Further charges – under Section 505 (b) of the penal code – for “inciting unrest” at the demonstration remain to be heard at a later date.

Parmaukkha was denied bail today on charges of inciting unrest during an anti-Rohingya protest outside the US embassy in Yangon last year.

There were mixed reactions to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s speech this morning on her government’s efforts to address the crisis in northern Arakan State.

Maung Thway Chon, the would-be chairman of the PUP, said, "Our policy is anti-Bengali and to lead in the development of Buddhism."