Ban discusses Myanmar with 'friends' of the nation

While details were not available, the upcoming visit of Ban's special adviser Ibrahim Gambari, is believed to have been discussed apparently in the context of his failure so far to persuade the military junta to move towards democracy and release pro-democracy detainees including Aung San Suu Kyi.     

"Members of the Group emphasized that Gambari's visit would need to yield tangible progress on issues of concern, particularly with regard to resumption of dialogue between Suu Kyi and the Government, the credibility of electoral process, and regularization of engagement with good offices of the Secretary-General," a brief statement said after the meeting.     

The meeting is the fourth since the Group was created in December 2007, after the Government in Myanmar forcefully cracked down on peaceful protesters.     

According to Secretary-General's spokesperson, Australia, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Russia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, the UK, the US, Vietnam, the European Community and European Union took part in the meeting held yesterday.