Minister condemns Suu Kyi detention

Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern has condemned a decision by Burma's military government to extend the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The ruling junta has decided to extend the Nobel Peace Prize winners incarceration for a year, according to her supporters in the National League for Democracy.

Minister Ahern has described the move as a further setback for the people of Burma and a blow to their hopes for a democratic society.

The Burmese military came to power in 1988 after launching a crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Two years later, Suu Kyi's NLD party won an overwhelming victory in national elections but the junta refused to accept the results.

Ms Suu Kyi has been under house arrest several times, the longest period being between 1989 and 1995.