Expectations that the world's most famous political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi, is about to be freed from 19 months house arrest in Myanmar became clouded by doubts today among fellow pro-democracy opposition activists.
Myanmar has been abuzz all week with feverish speculation that the 56-year-old Nobel peace laureate was about to be freed after striking a deal with the ruling junta in a breakthrough after years of political stalemate.
Senior leaders of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) say she told them this week she expected to be released within days following secret meetings with the junta.
But the military government has been silent on the expected release, and Suu Kyi's home on University Avenue in Yangon was still blocked off by barricades and a "No Entry" sign.
Every day, scores of opposition activists have crammed into the dilapidated headquarters of the NLD waiting for word. So far, they have heard nothing.
Political sources said no developments were expected at the weekend and Suu Kyi's release would not happen before Monday at the earliest. They said the deal appeared to have been held up by haggling over whether her release would be unconditional.
Suu Kyi spent a previous spell in house arrest from 1989 to 1995, and her release then was marked with jubilant scenes as large crowds thronged the street outside her residence.
Diplomats say the junta wants to avoid a repeat, and has been trying to reach agreement with Suu Kyi that she will keep a low profile after her release. They said this may be a sticking point in the talks to secure her freedom.