A committee of former Myanmar lawmakers announced the National Unity Government on Friday including ousted members of parliament and leaders of anti-military protests and ethnic minorities, saying their aim was to root out military rule and restore democracy, Reuters reported.

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw was formed by former parliament members of the National League for Democracy in the wake of the military takeover on February 1.

The unity government released a list of office holders including members of ethnic minorities and protest leaders, underlining the unity of purpose between the pro-democracy movement and autonomy-seeking minority communities, some of whom have battled the central government for decades.

The unity government's minister of international cooperation, Dr Sasa, who goes by one name, told Reuters in an interview the objective was to end violence, restore democracy and build a "federal democratic union."

The turmoil has alarmed Myanmar's neighbors in Southeast Asia, who have been trying to encourage talks between the rival sides.

Southeast Asian leaders will meet in Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the situation, Thai and Indonesian media reported.

The European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on another 10 individuals linked to the Myanmar military takeover and to target two businesses run by the armed forces for the first time in protest at the military takeover, two diplomats said.

(Cover: Black smoke billows from the industrial zone of Hlaing Thar Yar township in Yangon, Myanmar Sunday, March 14, 2021. /CFP)