The United Nations' special envoy to Burma says the country's neighbors need to shoulder more responsibility for securing the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Razali Ismail told reporters Friday that southeast Asian nations should push Burma's military government harder for the release of the Nobel laureate, who has been detained for more than a year.
Mr. Ismail said the issue is increasingly a regional problem. The European Union has threatened to boycott a Europe-Asia summit planned for October rather than allow Burma to participate.
The Malaysian diplomat, who has dealt with Burma on the United Nations' behalf for the past four years, added he is waiting for permission from Rangoon to visit the country again.
Information for this report is provided by AP.