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Myanmar refuses Suu Kyi bid

LONDON, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- A decision by the courts in Myanmar to refuse to reinstate the opposition party of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is disappointing, the British government said.

Myanmar had its first general election in more than 20 years in November. The military junta said it won about 80 percent of the vote but the election was viewed by the international community as a sham.

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Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi led her opposition National League for Democracy to a victory in 1990 elections, though military authorities never recognized the results. The junta received further criticism over a decision to disband 10 political parties, including Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

The Supreme Court in Myanmar dismissed an appeal filed against the May 2010 dissolution of Suu Kyi's opposition party.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the decision, saying in a Friday statement the move was an assault on democracy.

"Their exclusion from the political process, along with other opposition and ethnic groups, strips all credibility from the regime's superficial reforms," he said. "There will be nothing to celebrate when Burma's military-dominated Parliament meets for the first time (Monday)."

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Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest last year in Myanmar, where she spent 15 of the past 21 years in detention.

Western allies complained the military junta would remain in power despite November elections touted as opening the door to civilian leadership.

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