Mahathir asks for Suu Kyi release

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since May 2003

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has called on the Burmese junta to release the country's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

He said that her release would, in his words, make things easier for everyone.

He said he had fought hard for Burma to be admitted into the regional grouping Asean, and now the country should listen to public opinion.

But Dr Mahathir argued that the ruling generals should not be prosecuted if they left power.

He said the threat of jail was no great incentive for a dictator to step down.

According to the BBC's Kuala Lumpur correspondent, one group that would find things easier if Aung San Suu Kyi were to be released is Asean (the Association of South East Asian Nations).

Its secretary general said the Burmese government would have to tell fellow members next month if it still plans to take its turn to chair the organisation in 2006.

Ong Keng Yong said it remained a decision for Rangoon, but he acknowledged that governments and parliamentarians around the region were increasingly uneasy about the prospect.

The United States and Europe have warned that they may boycott meetings with Asean that are chaired by Burma.