BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Burmese agree to pull back guard

She asked the authorities to pull out the guards on Thursday.

The offer comes on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the uprising against military rule in Burma.

A government statement said: "The government was surprised at Ms ASSK (Aung San Suu Kyi)'s sudden request and she provided no explanation. However, the government is happy to comply with her request and discussions are now under way about the measures."

Earlier, the NDL condemned the guards' presence, describing it as an unlawful restriction.

Security personnel have been stationed in Aung San Suu Kyi's compound since she was released from house arrest in 1995, but the government says the guards were provided at her request.

Diplomats say, however, that the guards are supposed to report on Aung San Suu Kyi's movements and have even stopped her at times.

In a separate development, Aung San Suu Kyi's party rejected an invitation to meet senior members of the government on Saturday.

The NDL said it could not accept the invitation as Aung San Suu Kyi herself was not allowed to be present.

"Since the purpose of the meeting was not mentioned in the letter and also because the party cannot accept the conditions ... the invitation was declined by the party," said an NDL statement.

One report said that the military has described Ms Suu Kyi as selfish and stubborn for insisting that no meeting with her party be held without herself.

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