U.N. envoy meets with Myanmar opposition

RANGOON, Myanmar, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A U.N. envoy has tried to encourage talks between Myanmar opposition leaders and the country's military rulers, a U.N. spokesman said.

Ibrahim Gambari finished his six day visit to the Asian nation on Saturday, meeting with both the military junta and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose house arrest was recently extended for another year.

A meeting earlier in the week was canceled when Suu Kyi reportedly became ill. But Gambari met twice with other NLD party leaders, U.N. spokesman Edoardo Bellando told CNN Sunday.

Gambari urged the party and government to resume discussions and "made specific suggestions to that end," CNN said. Myanmar has been under strict military rule for decades, with human rights and other international organizations calling for open elections. Recent typhoon destruction has highlighted the impoverished nation's isolated status.

Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been confined to her home for 12 of the last 18 years. Her latest house arrest began in 2003 and has been periodically renewed even though under Myanmar law the maximum term is five years without charges being filed.