Nigeria, March 5 -- The United States on Thursday unveiled new measures to punish Myanmar's army for its February 1 coup, blocking the ministries of defence and home affairs and top military conglomerates from certain types of trade.

Washington has also subjected Myanmar to "military end-use" export control restrictions, requiring its U.S. suppliers to seek difficult-to-obtain U.S. licences to ship certain items.

The actions were taken in response to the Myanmar military's intensified crackdown on peaceful protesters who oppose the takeover that overthrew elected officials including leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who had won a national election in November.

Police broke up demonstrations with tear gas and gunfire in several cities across the...