U.N. Security Council says concerned about Suu Kyi

By Megan Davies

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Friday expressed concern about Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and called for the release of all political prisoners in the Asian nation.

It stopped short of explicitly calling for the immediate release of the Nobel Peace laureate, who has been in prison or under house arrest off and on since 1989.

"The members of the Security Council express their concern about the political impact of recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," a statement by the 15-member Security Council read.

It stressed the "importance of the release of all political prisoners" and the "need for the Government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue" with Suu Kyi.

The military junta that has ruled Myanmar since 1962 put Suu Kyi on trial on Monday, accusing her of breaking the terms of her house arrest because an American man swam to her lakeside home.

If found guilty, she could be jailed for up to five years.

British Ambassador John Sawers, who read the statement to reporters, said it was an "important step forward."

He said Suu Kyi's trial and imprisonment "has once again put a spotlight on the inhumanity of the regime there"