Shocking Images of Photographer Gunned Down by Burmese Troops as Nine Die

Gordon Brown warned: "The whole world is now watching Burma and its illegitimate and repressive regime should know that the whole world is going to hold it to account. The age of impunity in neglecting and overriding human rights is over.

"I think the international pressure that can be made to be felt in the next few days is incredibly important. I want to see the whole of the world getting together on this, each continent of the world can come together."

Burma had one of the worst human rights records in the world, Mr Brown said - a country of just 20 million people with 1,000 political prisoners and 500,000 political refugees, poets and journalists tortured for speaking out.

He said: "Through their dignified but resolute protests, the Burmese people are reminding the world of the decision they made as long ago as 1990 to reject military rule and embrace democracy.