David Cameron arrives in Burma for historic trip

[Gerald]

David Cameron has become the first British prime minister to visit Burma after arriving in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.

He met President Thein Sein and is holding discussions with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon.

Speaking on arrival, Mr Cameron said the government had to demonstrate that moves to democracy were "irreversible".

He is the first Western leader to visit Burma since Ms Suu Kyi's success in a series of parliamentary by-elections.

Burma was ruled for almost half a century by a military junta that stifled almost all dissent and wielded absolute power. The EU, US and other nations imposed sanctions.

The first general election in 20 years was held in 2010.

The installation of a military-backed, nominally civilian government in March 2011 and a series of reforms since - including the release of hundreds of political prisoners - has led to speculation that decades of international isolation could be coming to an end.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17698526


Note: 13 April 2012 Last updated at 09:41 GMT