Ban considers Myanmar visit after April poll: UN

KUALA LUMPUR - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday commended Myanmar's moves towards democracy and said he was considering visiting soon after a by-election set for next month.

"I myself am considering visiting Myanmar at a certain date as soon as the election is over," Ban told a press conference during a visit to Malaysia.

The by-election will see Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi stand for a seat in parliament for the first time, and comes a year after a nominally civilian government took power following the end of decades of outright military rule.

"I am encouraged by the recent developments in Myanmar toward a greater participatory democracy and a greater freedom of movement, greater freedom of speech..." Ban said.

"This has given a greater sense of hope and expectations from the international community to see more and greater development in Myanmar.