Burma has tightened security around the lakeside home of democracy icon Ms Aung San Suu Kyi as Western governments and opposition groups demanded her release from house arrest.
The country's Southeast Asian neighbours and partners in a 10-country regional grouping said Ms Suu Kyi's return home after nearly four months in detention was a positive gesture by the military government.
The Nobel laureate, who had major surgery a week ago, was driven last night from a hospital in the capital to the house where she was confined for more than seven of the past 14 years. Security was tight near her home with booms across major roads, police checking cars and restricting access.
Indonesia and Thailand, among the neighbours embarrassed by Ms Suu Kyi's detention and pushing for her release before a regional summit next month, said Yangon's decision to move her should not be ignored.
Britain and the United States called for her unconditional and immediate release. The United States and the European Union have tightened sanctions against the junta.
Ms Suu Kyi, the daughter of a Burmese independence hero, won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize while under house arrest. She was detained on May 30th after a clash between her followers and government supporters. Many of her followers were also held.
UN envoy Mr Razali Ismail visits Burma on Tuesday for talks with the military, who have ruled since 1962. Mr Razali helped persuade the generals to free Ms Suu Kyi from house arrest in May 2002. He is keen to revive talks between the military and her National League for Democracy.