The UN secretary-general's special envoy to Burma has arrived in Rangoon on a mission to secure the release of opposition leader Ms Aung San Suu Kyi.
Mr Razali Ismail's arrival comes hours after Washington said Ms Suu Kyi had been the victim of a "premeditated ambush" by "government affiliated-thugs" during violent clashes in the country's north between her supporters and a junta-backed mob last week.
The leader was placed in "protective custody" after the clashes and is believed to have been taken to a military camp 25 miles outside Rangoon where she has since been held incommunicado.
Leaders from capitals around the world have called for her immediate release.
Sources have said Ms Suu Kyi sustained non-life threatening injuries when her car windscreen was shattered during the melee.
The ruling military junta put the death toll from the clashes at four and said 50 were injured, but dozens of people are feared dead.
Mr Razali told reporters in Kuala Lumpur before his departure that he believed he had a "realistic chance" of seeing the Nobel peace laureate.
"Everybody is hoping that this visit will result at the very least in me being allowed to see Aung San Suu Kyi and to make a strong bid to get her released immediately," he said.
AFP
