Burma's military rulers have arrested three of the last remaining leaders of the recent pro-democracy protests which were violently suppressed.
Burma's military rulers have arrested three of the last remaining leaders of the recent pro-democracy protests which were violently suppressed.
Among those detained was Htay Kywe, who led some of the first marches and was a prominent activist in a 1988 uprising.
Among those detained was Htay Kywe, who led some of the first marches and was a prominent activist in a 1988 uprising.
The arrests came as thousands attended a pro-government rally in Rangoon, many of them apparently under duress.
The arrests came as thousands attended a pro-government rally in Rangoon, many of them apparently under duress.
UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who met junta leaders earlier this month, is preparing for another visit to Burma.
UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who met junta leaders earlier this month, is preparing for another visit to Burma.
Following the latest arrests, few, if any, leaders of the 1988 generation of former student activists are thought to remain at large.
Following the latest arrests, few, if any, leaders of the 1988 generation of former student activists are thought to remain at large.
Other leaders detained overnight included Thin Thin Aye, also known as Mie Mie, according to rights group Amnesty.
Other leaders detained overnight included Thin Thin Aye, also known as Mie Mie, according to rights group Amnesty.
"We are extremely concerned for the well-being of these people given their prominence, and we do fear that they risk torture and ill treatment," Amnesty said in a statement.
"We are extremely concerned for the well-being of these people given their prominence, and we do fear that they risk torture and ill treatment," Amnesty said in a statement.
Burmese activists and dissidents say several thousand people have been taken into detention since troops and armed police cracked down on the protests at the end of September.
Burmese activists and dissidents say several thousand people have been taken into detention since troops and armed police cracked down on the protests at the end of September.
The government says 10 people were killed in the crackdown, though opposition groups say the toll was many times higher.
The government says 10 people were killed in the crackdown, though opposition groups say the toll was many times higher.
Rally
Rally
On Saturday, the junta organised the first pro-government rally in Rangoon since the suppression of the protests.
On Saturday, the junta organised the first pro-government rally in Rangoon since the suppression of the protests.
Officials said 120,000 people had attended the event, though there is no way to independently verify the figure. Burmese dissident groups said the number was much smaller.
Officials said 120,000 people had attended the event, though there is no way to independently verify the figure. Burmese dissident groups said the number was much smaller.
Rangoon was the focus of recent anti-junta protests
Rangoon was the focus of recent anti-junta protests
There are reports of people being bused to the rallies and being paid cash to attend, while one participant told AFP news agency that every factory in the city's industrial zone had been obliged to send 50 participants to the rally.
There are reports of people being bused to the rallies and being paid cash to attend, while one participant told AFP news agency that every factory in the city's industrial zone had been obliged to send 50 participants to the rally.
The crowd chanted slogans denouncing Western countries and the foreign media, including the BBC, which Burma's military rulers accuse of fomenting the recent protests.
The crowd chanted slogans denouncing Western countries and the foreign media, including the BBC, which Burma's military rulers accuse of fomenting the recent protests.
Other slogans denounced "internal and external destructive elements" - a reference to detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Western countries.
Other slogans denounced "internal and external destructive elements" - a reference to detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Western countries.
Mr Gambari is due to arrive in Thailand on Sunday, hoping to prepare the ground for a follow-up visit to Burma.
Mr Gambari is due to arrive in Thailand on Sunday, hoping to prepare the ground for a follow-up visit to Burma.
"I have instructed him to first visit the region to discuss with the leaders to create the necessary political atmosphere so that he'll be able to visit Myanmar sooner than mid-November," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told reporters in Washington on Friday.
"I have instructed him to first visit the region to discuss with the leaders to create the necessary political atmosphere so that he'll be able to visit Myanmar sooner than mid-November," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told reporters in Washington on Friday.
Earlier this month, Mr Gambari travelled to Burma and met the ruling junta and Ms Suu Kyi.
Earlier this month, Mr Gambari travelled to Burma and met the ruling junta and Ms Suu Kyi.
Earlier this week, the UN Security Council issued a statement condemning the violent suppression of anti-government protests.
Earlier this week, the UN Security Council issued a statement condemning the violent suppression of anti-government protests.
The Burmese junta said in response that it "deeply regretted" the statement.
The Burmese junta said in response that it "deeply regretted" the statement.
China had previously used its veto to block criticism of Burma's rulers, but said the council statement was meant to support mediation efforts by Mr Gambari.
China had previously used its veto to block criticism of Burma's rulers, but said the council statement was meant to support mediation efforts by Mr Gambari.
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