Myanmar's military government freed Noble Peace Prize winner Ms Aung San Suu Kyi from 19 months of house arrest today and her National League for Democracy said she would leave for party headquarters this morning.
"As of today, she is at liberty to carry out all activities, including her party's," a government spokesman said.
The junta said in a statement it had released hundreds of political prisoners in recent months and more would be freed soon, provided they were not a threat to national stability.
"Today marks the start of a new page for the people of Myanmar and the international community," it said.
"We shall recommit ourselves to allowing all of our citizens to participate freely in the life of our political process while giving precedence to national unity, peace and the stability of the country as well as the region."
Ms Suu Kyi (56) has spent years in house arrest since emerging as a leader of Myanmar's democracy movement in 1988 after the military bloodily suppressed anti-government protests. The military has ruled the country since a 1962 coup.
After being confined to her house from 1989 to 1995, her release then was marked by jubilant scenes as crowds thronged the street outside her residence.
Diplomats say the junta wants to avoid this happening again, and that the Nobel peace laureate may have agreed to keep a low profile in the days following her release.
Observers said that while Suu Kyi's freedom was a step forward, it did not mean the junta was about to open its arms to democracy.