LONDON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The British foreign secretary said Myanmar's release of political prisoners was "exactly" the type of action he was looking for during a recent visit.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague chose Myanmar for his first overseas visit for the new year. His visit last week marked the first for a sitting British foreign secretary in more than 50 years.
During his visit, he said if the government in Myanmar showed its commitment to "real and lasting reforms," London was ready to embark on a new era of friendship with the government.
The government in Myanmar announced Friday it released several dissidents from prison, including, the BBC reports, Min Ko Naing, who led a failed student uprising in 1988.
"This is exactly the kind of measure I called for in all my meetings with [Myanmar's] government leaders last week," Hague said in a statement.
The government said more than 650 prisoners would be released under the terms of a presidential pardon. The British broadcaster said officials in Myanmar didn't note how many of those would be political prisoners. The government in the past has objected to the use of the term.
"I hope these positive steps will contribute to greater democratic participation in the upcoming parliamentary by-elections," added Hague in his statements.
