Aung San Suu Kyi may meet official

YANGON, Myanmar, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Myanmar television says pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a government official, an apparent first step in response to international pressure.

Suu Kyi has been under house detention for years but on Thursday was allowed to travel to a meeting with a special "minister for relations."

The government of Myanmar, formerly Burma, has been under intense pressure in the wake of pro-democracy demonstrations led by Buddhist monks involving tens of thousands people.

The New York Times reported the meeting came as U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari was traveling throughout Asia to firm up a Myanmar policy in advance of his scheduled visit to the reclusive military regime in November.

Military sources told CNN Suu Kyi, who has spent 12 years under house arrest in Yangon, formerly Rangoon, flew in a military helicopter Wednesday night to the new capital, Nay Pyi Taw.

Gambari met with Suu Kyi in Yangon, formerly called Rangoon, earlier this month, CNN reported.

The BBC quoted diplomats as saying she left her home to meet retired Gen. Aung Kyi, who was recently appointed to liaise with her.

Suu Kyi is the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy and is a Nobel Peace Prize winner.