Updated on Tuesday, December 07, 2010, 10:43
United Nations: The United Nations has made a fresh call for Myanmar to free all political prisoners after talks between key countries on how to coax the junta out of its isolation.
The call was made at a meeting convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday after a special envoy visited Myanmar.
Participants urged Myanmar's ruling generals to launch talks with the Aung San Suu Kyi-led opposition following elections and the junta's release of the long-detained Nobel Peace Prize-winning democracy icon, a UN spokesman said in a statement.
"In order for any transition to succeed, it is imperative that this should involve not only those who participated and won seats in the election, but also those who did not or could not," said the statement.
"This must include the release of political prisoners. Addressing concerns about the credibility of the process to date is also essential for any next steps to succeed."
The international community widely criticized Myanmar's November 7 election. Most opposition parties were banned and Suu Kyi's release from nearly two decades of detention only came after.
Ban has called for "broad-based and inclusive" political changes, but the junta has shown little sign that it will make concessions, diplomats said.
UN envoy Vijay Nambiar addressed the so-called Group of Friends meeting with Ban and representatives of about 14 countries, including Australia, Britain, China, France, India, Russia and the United States, as well as Myanmar's southeast Asian neighbors.
He then briefed the UN Security Council on his visit but did not speak to reporters after the closed hearing.
PTI
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