Pretoria - The South African Government has called on the authorities in Myanmar to release the Leader of the National League for Democracy and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
In a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Friday, government expressed grave concern at the arrest of Ms Suu Kyi.
"For the general elections, due to be held in Myanmar in 2010, to be viewed as free and fair, the process should be all inclusive and for this reason, the Military Government of Myanmar is urged to release political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi in order to participate in the electoral process," said government.
Government said it had also noted recent reports on Ms Suu Kyi's poor health and feared that the arrest may worsen her condition.
"The South African government reiterates its position that the solution to the current challenges facing the people of Myanmar lies in a negotiated political solution between the government and the opposition, culminating in an all inclusive free and fair elections," it said.
