UN chief meets Myanmar leader

NAYPYIDAW: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday pressed the reclusive leader of Myanmar's ruling junta to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and to allow him to visit the Nobel peace laureate.

Ban said military supremo Than Shwe had not yet granted him permission to see the 64-year-old opposition leader but added that he awaited a final reply before his two-day mission ends on Saturday.

The UN chief flew to Naypyidaw, the remote stronghold of the regime, shortly after a prison court again adjourned the trial of Suu Kyi on charges of breaching the terms of her house arrest.