Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'fond' of army that detained her

LONDON (AFP) - Myanmar's opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi remains "fond" of her country's army despite claims that it has recruited child soldiers and used rape as a weapon, she said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was herself held under house arrest by the military for most of the last two decades, told the BBC radio show Desert Island Discs that she hopes the army could redeem itself for the "terrible" things it has done.

She confirmed that she wants to become Myanmar's president after elections in 2015, but she will not be eligible for the post without constitutional reforms that need military backing.

"It's genuine, I'm fond of the army," the 67-year-old told the show, which was recorded last month at her home in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw.