UNITED NATIONS — Myanmar's looming election will not be credible unless the military rulers release Nobel prize-winning opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a UN ministerial group said Monday.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said after the meeting -- which included ministers from neighbors China and India as well as Britain and the United States -- said the group had "clearly reiterated the need for the election process to more inclusive participatory and transparent.
"Members called for steps to be taken for the release of political detainees including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. This is essential for the election to be seen as credible and to contribute to Myanmar's stability and development," Ban told reporters after the meeting of the so-called Friends On Myanmar.
No government representative from Myanmar was at the meeting, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Myanmar has banned Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy and nine other opposition parties from taking part in the country's first election in two decades. The opposition has said the vote will be a sham.
The junta has said however that the detained opposition leader will be able to vote.
A UN spokesman confirmed that Ban Ki-moon held a meeting with Myanmar's foreign minister, U Nyan Win, at UN headquarters on Sunday to discuss the election. No details were given however.
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