Suu Kyi meets with 'new' regime

Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's democracy movement, has held her first meeting with a government official since she was released last year from seven years under house arrest.

In an incident that will be closely scrutinised by analysts watchful for a thaw in relations between Ms Suu Kyi and the new, supposedly civilian administration, the Nobel laureate spent an hour yesterday talking with the labour minister, Aung Kyi.

It is the first meeting of the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and an official from the administration that was put in place following a controversial election last year.

Ms Suu Kyi, who was only informed of the meeting on Sunday, emerged from the talks to issue a joint statement, with both parties saying they were satisfied the talks would be of benefit to the people of Burma.

The meeting followed a recent warning to Ms Suu Kyi and the NLD that it was acting illegally by continuing its political activities. Although technically not registered as a political party because of its decision to boycott last year's election, the party has continued to campaign.