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Yangon: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Yangon Friday for a two-day official visit during which he will press for the release of all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ban and his entourage arrived at Yangon International Airport and were whisked to the Sadonah Hotel in downtown Yangon, witnesses said.
The UN chief is expected to fly to Naypyitaw, 350 km north of Yangon, Friday where he will meet junta chief, Senior General Than Shwe, and 25 representatives from political parties, including four leaders from the National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition party.
It is unclear whether Ban will be allowed to meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently being held at Yangon's infamous Insein Prison.
Ban last visited Myanmar in May, 2008, to hasten international aid to the country in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which killed up to 150,000 people.
Ban's talks with Myanmar's senior leadership are expected to focus on a plea for the release of all political prisoners including Suu Kyi; resumption of dialogue between the government and opposition; and the need to create conditions conducive to credible elections planned in 2010.
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