Aung San Suu Kyi in new row

Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest for the third time

The detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has again reportedly clashed with the nation's ruling junta.

Officials from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party say she is angry at government plans to halve the number of party members guarding her compound.

The NLD has also accused the military of endangering her life by restricting access to a doctor.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained since May 2003, when a junta-backed mob clashed with her supporters.

NLD officials said Aung San Suu Kyi was recently informed that only six party members would be allowed to provide security for her, instead of 13, at the lakeside house where she is under house arrest.

"Aung San Suu Kyi found the restriction unacceptable so the 13 youth members were withdrawn from her compound," an NLD official told Reuters news agency.

AUNG SAN SUU KYI 1990:NLD wins general election while Suu Kyi under house arrest; military does not recognise the result 1991:Wins Nobel Peace Prize 1995:Released from house arrest, but movements restricted 2000-02:Second period of house arrest May 2003:Detained after clash between NLD and government forces Sep 2003Allowed home after operation, but under effective house arrest Profile of Aung San Suu Kyi

It remains unclear whether they departed due to a government order or whether Aung San Suu Kyi removed them in protest.

Health concerns

The party also said it feared for its leader's health, after the Burmese military decided her personal doctor could only visit her once a week .

Aung San Suu Kyi had major surgery in September 2003 for a gynaecological problem.

"It is up to the authorities concerned to give protection to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to provide for her health needs," the NLD said.

As a pro-democracy campaigner and leader of the NLD, Aung San Suu Kyi has spent nine of the past 15 years in some form of detention under Burma's military regime.

Her party won a landslide victory in 1990, but the military junta has never allowed her to govern.

In November the NLD said her house arrest had been extended until at least next September.