The United Nations' special envoy to Burma hopes the country's newly installed prime minister is taking steps towards releasing pro-democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, news reports said today.

Razali Ismail said he was keen to discuss Prime Minister Khin Nyunt's seven-point plan towards "free and fair" elections and hoped the proposal included a section on releasing Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained since May.