The head of Myanmar's military has renewed his call for a ceasefire and peace talks with the leaders of armed ethnic minorities across the country.

The move is seen as an attempt to stop them from supporting the pro-democracy movement.

On Friday, state-run television repeatedly aired an address by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in which he invites the groups for dialogue and offers to meet them personally.

The junta chief asks them to register representatives by May 9. He also says the military will talk honestly and openly.

Myanmar has about 20 ethnic minority groups seeking broad autonomy.
They have mostly distanced themselves from clashes between the military and pro-democracy forces since last year's coup.

But some, mainly in the north and east, are joining hands with pro-democracy forces after being asked to provide combat training.