Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to visit Burma next month and may prod the ruling junta to speed up national reconciliation, officials and diplomats said Tuesday.

A diplomat from the Burma embassy here said the two governments were still discussing the date of Mahathir's visit, tentatively set for middle of August.

Mahathir last went to Rangoon in January 2001 and this current trip was part of normal visits among leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), he told AFP .

"We don't know his itinerary but if he does go, he will meet with leaders of the military junta for discussions on various issues," he said.

A government official said the veteran premier, who sticks to Asean's non-intervention rule but supports constructive engagement with Burma, was likely to discuss political developments in the country.

"He may persuade the junta to speed up the facilitation of the national reconciliation process in the country," he added.

Mahathir in May lauded the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from 19 months of house arrest as progress but hinted more time may be needed in the move towards democracy.

Malaysia is seen as an ally of Burma in the 10-member Asean but has exerted gentle pressure on Rangoon to continue the dialogue with the opposition.

Secret talks

Malaysian diplomat Razali Ismail, who as UN envoy to Burma was instrumental in brokering secret talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the junta, may visit Rangoon this month ahead of Mahathir's visit, officials said.

Burma's ruling junta earlier Tuesday freed 10 jailed members of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), bringing to 283 NLD members released in recent months but another 275 were still in detention.

Since Aung San Suu Kyi's visit, there have been no concrete developments, prompting concern from some that talks on national reconciliation may have ground to a halt. -AFP