clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk   
Burma's junta has refused to allow visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to meet jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr Ban was told of the refusal when he held a second round of talks with military leader Gen Than Shwe.

"I'm deeply disappointed," he told reporters. "I'm very sorry to report to you that this is not possible."

Aung San Suu Kyi (1996)

Mr Ban said he had been assured that elections planned for 2010 would be "held in a fair, free and transparent manner".

The UN chief is due to make a speech outlining his vision for Burma later on Saturday.