Myanmar’s military government ordered the expulsion of the top U.N. diplomat in the country on Friday in response to the envoy’s criticism of the regime.

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“This outrageous action ... is an insult to the United Nations and the international community,” said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council.

The junta gave a note to foreign diplomats and U.N. representatives that accused Petrie of going beyond his duties and “expressed the government’s intention not to continue his assignment here,” United Nations Information Center spokesman Aye Win said from Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city.

Petrie, like other U.N. officials and diplomats, serves in Myanmar only with the consent of its government and was not expected to stay without an invitation.

His office said on Oct. 24 that Myanmar’s government was not meeting the economic and humanitarian needs of its people, and that that was the cause of September’s mass pro-democracy protests, which were violently put down by the government.

“The concerns of the people have been clearly expressed through the recent peaceful demonstrations, and it is beholden on all to listen,” the office said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “is disappointed by the message from the government of Myanmar,” spokeswoman Michele Montas said at U.N. headquarters in New York. “The secretary-general has full confidence in the United Nations country team and its leadership and appreciates their contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic and humanitarian conditions for the people of Myanmar. 

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