YANGON - The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services of Myanmar on Tuesday announced the extension of the temporary ceasefire until May 31.

The extension, which takes effect from May 6, aims to support rehabilitation and resettlement efforts in the quake-affected areas, serve the interests of the country and its people, and promote lasting peace and stability, the office's statement said.

READ MORE: Myanmar extends temporary ceasefire until April 30

The Myanmar Armed Forces already declared a temporary ceasefire from April 2 to 30 to accelerate rescue and resettlement operations following the powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, the statement added.

Meanwhile, it said that during the declared period of the temporary ceasefire, ethnic armed organizations and other armed groups are urged not to disrupt or attack communication routes used by the general public, not to cause harm to or destroy the lives and property of civilians, not to attack security personnel and their camps, not to target military commands, not to recruit or mobilize forces that could undermine peace, and not to engage in preparations for territorial expansion.

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It was also announced that if such actions are carried out, the Myanmar Armed Forces will take necessary response measures to protect the public, the statement said.