Backlash over Suu Kyi detention

Aung San Suu Kyi was trying to meet supporters

The United States and Europe have reacted angrily to the the detention of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, by police in the capital Rangoon.

The US state department said it "deplored" Ms Suu Kyi's detention, saying freedom of movement is a "fundamental, internationally recognised right".

Only dialogue can allow Burma to progress on the path of democratisation

EU statement

The European Union called for travel restrictions on Ms Suu Kyi to be lifted, and urged the Burmese Government to begin talks with opposition parties.

Ms Suu Kyi was stopped by police on Thursday while attempting to travel outside the city for the first time in two years.

Standoff

According to reports, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and other members of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), left Rangoon on Thursday morning to travel to meet supporters.

But the group were halted by police at Dala on the outskirts of the city, and have not yet returned home.

Ms Suu Kyi is preparing to spend a third night in her car, locked in a tense standoff with officials.

Plainclothes security officials have apparently warned reporters away from the area.

Two years ago, Ms Suu Kyi spent 13 days in her car after being prevented from leaving Rangoon.

She eventually gave up her protest suffering from dehydration.

Security

According to the Burmese Government, Ms Suu Kyi and the other NLD members have been stopped this time for not having "proper security arrangements".

Aung San Suu Kyi

1988 Becomes leader of pro-democracy movement after military crushes student uprisings

1989 Put under house arrest until 1995

1991 Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

1990 NLD wins election, but military refuses to hand over power

1998 Stopped trying to leave Rangoon

"Security officials requested them not to proceed but stay in Dala town or return to Yangon [Rangoon]," said a government statement.

Authorities referred to "threats of violence by armed insurgent separatist forces", and said Ms Suu Kyi had been stopped for her own protection.

Reports said Ms Suu Kyi and her party had been planning to travel to Kungyangon, 50km (31 miles) south of Rangoon for a meeting of the NLD's youth wing.

The NLD won elections in May 1990, but Burma's military rulers refused to hand over power, jailing some party members and placing others under house arrest.

The daughter of the late Burmese nationalist leader, General Aung San, Ms Suu Kyi was prevented from leaving her home for six years.

Although this was lifted in 1995, since then the military has constantly restricted her movements.