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Update: (5 July 2009) Ban Ki Moon leaves Burma without having been granted a visit with Aung San Suu Kyi. Read more .

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In a sudden change of events, Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial , which was due to resume on Friday, 3 July, has been postponed to 10 July 2009. The trial would have coincided with the first day of a two-day visit to the country by Ban Ki-moon , during which he will meet with Senior General Than Shwe and members of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

“We arrived to the courtroom around 10am [today], as scheduled for the hearing, and a judge told us we are reappointed to July 10,” said one of the remaining witness, Khin Moe Moe.

Earlier this week, two witnesses were denied participation in the trial signaling yet another setback for the democratic leader’s trial. The two excluded from the trial are senior members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party and critics of Burma's military government.

Speculation and pressure are running high for what is thought to be the Secretary General’s first of several meetings with the military junta. The UN Chief is said to have three priorities during his visit: the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, resumption of dialogue for national reconciliation and to create a political ambience and legal frame work conducive to holding a credible election in 2010. His first request to visit Suu Kyi was denied.

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Read more in our Burma News section.

UN chief denied Suu Kyi visit , Irrawaddy Times, 3 July 2009

UN chief calls for Burma releases , BBC, 3 July 2009

UN chief to urge reform in Burma , Democratic Voice of Burma, 2 July 2009