UNITED NATIONS - UN SECRETARY General Ban Ki Moon will travel to Myanmar this week for an official visit including talks on the fate of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, his spokesman announced on Monday.

UN spokesman Michele Montas said Mr Ban's agenda in Myanmar, following travel on Monday to Japan, includes 'a broad range of issues including long standing concerns to the United Nations and the international community.'

The UN leader's visit to the country formerly known as Burma, set for Friday and Saturday, comes as the Yangon government presses ahead with the internationally-condemned trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Nobel laureate faces up to five years in jail on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest, after an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside home.

Ms Montas said that her fate, as well as 'the release of all political prisoners' are among the issues for discussion during the secretary general's agenda during the two day visit.

Mr Ban also hopes to address 'the resumption of dialogue between the government and opposition as a necessary part of any national reconciliation process, and the need to create conditions conducive to credible elections,' Ms Montas said. -- AFP