Burma rejects Ban's plea to meet Suu Kyi

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said Burma’s military leader today rejected his initial request to meet jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr Ban said he told general Than Shwe during two hours of talks on that he wanted to meet her directly.

Mr Ban said that Than Shwe’s initial response was that Ms Suu Kyi is currently on trial.

The UN chief is on what he calls a “tough mission” to press the junta to release her and all political prisoners in the country.

Ms Suu Kyi is on trial for violating her lengthy house arrest and could face five years in prison in a trial that has sparked global outrage. The trial was again postponed today.