YANGON, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Myanmar's military regime has faced weeks of peaceful protests sparked by a staggering increase in fuel prices in August.

Buddhist monks have emerged as leaders of the protest movement which has escalated into the biggest challenge to the junta in nearly two decades.

The following is a timeline of developments:

- August 15

Myanmar's government doubles key fuel prices overnight, deepening the woes of ordinary people in the already impoverished country.

- August 19

Some 500 people protest the increase in a rare march through the main city Yangon.

- August 22

State media says 13 leaders of a pro-democracy group that had led recent protests have been arrested.

- August 28

Buddhist monks protest for the first time, joining a rally in the port town of Sittwe - one of the first demonstrations outside Yangon.

- September 5

Troops fire warning shots above a crowd including at least 300 monks and beat them with bamboo sticks in Pakokku, a major centre of Buddhist learning.

- September 6

Hundreds of Buddhist monks hold a group of local and security officials hostage for several hours in Pakokku in protest at the earlier day's violence.

- September 14

The United Nations calls for the release of more than 150 people arrested in protests.

- September 17

An alliance of Buddhist monks urges monks not to accept alms from soldiers.

- September 18

Thousands of monks march in towns across Myanmar with hundreds of people joining in.

Security officials use tear gas and fire warning shots to disperse 1,000 monks protesting in Sittwe.

- September 19

More than 2,000 monks protest across Myanmar with people coming out to support them. The junta uses tear gas and fires warning shots in Sittwe.

- September 20

More than 1,300 Buddhist monks march in Yangon. They are allowed to enter Myanmar's most important landmark, the Shwedagon Pagoda, which had been sealed off by authorities for three days.

- September 21

At least 3,000 people and monks march in Yangon. A human chain protects the monks.

- September 22

Several thousand monks rally in Yangon and Myanmar's second city Mandalay. In an unprecedented move, some are allowed to pray outside the home of detained democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who emerges to pay her respects.

- September 23:

An estimated 20,000 monks and nuns take part in the biggest marches seen in Myanmar since 1988. Their leaders call for national reconciliation.

- September 24:

Marches gather steam, swelling to an estimated 100,000 in Yangon. State media report a warning to the monks to stay out of politics.

- September 25:

Government officials warn people not to protest, but marches draw some 100,000 in Yangon.

US President George W. Bush unveils new sanctions on Myanmar's military rulers.

- September 26:

Security forces beat demonstrators with batons, arrest dozens more and fire tear gas and warning shots. Four people, including three monks, are killed.

The junta bans gatherings of more then five people and arrests two leading activists.

- September 27:

Authorities raid two monasteries, arresting at least 100 monks. Security forces fire warning shots trying to break up a crowd of tens of thousands of people at Yangon's Sule Pagode.

Troops threaten "extreme action" if the crowds do not disperse.

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