Burmese security forces blocked off a sprawling section of Rangoon today for a government-orchestrated mass rally in support of the military regime, amid growing pressure on the junta to negotiate with the pro-democracy opposition.

The lowest-ranking member of Burma’s four-man military junta died today after a long illness.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, has today denied that a coup d’etat had taken place in the military-ruled country, but hinted at possible changes in the Cabinet.

Burma’s prime minister has been sacked by his hardline army colleagues, clouding prospects for the freedom of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and for democracy in the military-led south-east Asian nation.

BURMA’S secretive military regime has sacked its prime minister, seen as a relative pragmatist, and replaced him with a general who has taken a hard line in dealing with the country’s pro-democracy movement.