UN special envoy Razali Ismail has renewed his request to the Burmese government to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after Rangoon showed no signs of willingness to do so even in the face of international condemnation.

Razali said he has written to Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Win seeking an explanation as to why the government is still holding Suu Kyi a month after her arrest by military intelligence officials.