London - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised 1 million pounds (2 million dollars) in aid to Myanmar at a meeting with activists and monks in Downing Street Saturday as thousands gathered in central London to protest against the Myanmar government. Brown promised to exert more pressure on Myanmar's ruling military junta to make the transition to democracy.
The violation of human rights in Myanmar must end, Brown said.
The 1-million-pound grant was on top of 40 million pounds already pledged by Downing Street to help the people of Myanmar, a spokesman told the British press.
Meanwhile, an estimated 10,000 demonstrators gathered in Trafalgar Square Saturday at 12.30 pm where a group of monks from Myanmar opened a protest rally with chants.
The protestors had earlier walked through the centre of the city.
The demonstration was part of a global initiative to protest the brutal treatment of protesting monks by the Myanmar regime.