The army said it had carried out the detentions in response to "election fraud", according to a statement on a military-owned television station.

Politicians and advocacy groups around the world have been responding to the fast-developing situation.

ANTONY BLINKEN, US SECRETARY OF STATE

"We call on Burmese military leaders to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in democratic elections on November 8.

"The United States stands with the people of Burma in their aspirations for democracy, freedom, peace, and development. The military must reverse these actions immediately."

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

"I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar," Johnson said on Twitter.

"The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released."

WANG WENBIN, CHINA FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN

"We have noted what has happened in Myanmar and are in the process of further understanding the situation," Wang said.

"China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar's. We hope that all sides in Myanmar can appropriately handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework and safeguard political and social stability."

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY

"The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar's democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed," US President Joe Biden's spokeswoman Psaki said in a statement.

ANTONIO GUTERRES, SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS

"These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

"All leaders must act in the greater interest of Myanmar's democratic reform, engaging in meaningful dialogue, refraining from violence and fully respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms."

TOSHIMITSU MOTEGI, JAPAN FOREIGN MINISTER:

"The Japanese government has up to now strongly supported the democratic process in Myanmar, and opposes any reversal of that process," he said in a statement.

"We strongly call on the military government to restore democracy as soon as possible."

CHARLES MICHEL, EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT:

"The outcome of the elections has to be respected and democratic process needs to be restored."

INDIA FOREIGN MINISTRY

"India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar," India's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely."

SINGAPORE FOREIGN MINISTRY

"Singapore expresses grave concern about the latest situation in Myanmar," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and hope all parties involved will exercise restraint, maintain dialogue, and work towards a positive and peaceful outcome."

THANT MYINT-U, HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR

"The doors just opened to a very different future. I have a sinking feeling that no-one will really be able to control what comes next," the historian, author and former UN official tweeted.

"And remember Myanmar's a country awash in weapons, with deep divisions across ethnic and religious lines, where millions can barely feed themselves."

JOHN SIFTON, ASIA ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

"The military junta that ruled Myanmar for decades never really stepped away from power in the first place ... so today's events in some sense are merely revealing a political reality that already existed," Sifton tweeted.

Australian Associated Press