Suu Kyi has support in Burmese Army: BBC

Burmese pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released last week after more than seven years under house arrest, has wide support within the lower ranks of the country's military, the BBC has claimed.

According to the BBC Burmese service, infantrymen from two Burmese army divisions confirmed reports that several hundred soldiers travelled to capital Rangoon on Saturday to witness release of the 65-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Suu Kyi was freed a week after a military-backed political party won Burma's first election in nearly 20 years.

And, the soldiers from battalions in Rangoon and Bago divisions, who went to Suu Kyi's house, said they hoped that the leader of the fight against the military dictatorship in Burma, could talk to their superiors about supply shortages.

"We went there to greet her because we believe the hardships the lower rank and file are facing can be solved if Ms Suu Kyi and the military commanders work together. We have high hopes for Ms Suu Kyi," a soldier was quoted as saying.

However, the extent of support for her in the army is not clear, the BBC said.

In September, soldiers in many areas reportedly refused to carry out routine tasks in protest at short rations and lack of access to their pay.

In a series of interviews, soldiers in garrison towns said their rations had been cut for several weeks. They said their commanders had barred access to money they had saved, which is kept in a central fund.

The Burmese authorities have denied any disquiet in the military.