UN envoy expected in Rangoon

The United Nations special envoy to Burma, Razali Ismail, is due to arrive in Rangoon on Friday for talks with Burma's military rulers.

During his five-day visit Mr Ismail is also expected to meet the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who's under virtual house arrest.

There's been deadlock between Burma's military leaders and the pro-democracy opposition -- led by Aung San Suu Kyi -- for more than ten years.

But UN sources say Mr Ismail is confident that he can help bridge the gap between them. There's speculation in Rangoon that the authorities may ease the restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi as a result of the visit by Mr Ismail and a visit this week by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohammad.

He urged Burma's rulers to be more conciliatory towards the opposition leader.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service