Myanmar says Suu Kyi's release dangerous

In a rare reference to the Oppn leader, the state press also said her days were numbered and that her party was heading for a tragic end.

Military-run Myanmar said on Wednesday that freeing democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi would endanger the country and derided as "meaningless" the international outcry demanding her freedom.

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In a rare reference to the nation's opposition figurehead, the state press also said her days were "numbered" and that she and her party were heading for a "tragic end".

The 61-year-old Nobel peace laureate has spent 10 of the past 17 years under house arrest at her lakeside residence in central Yangon. The junta extended her detention in May for another year.

"If the restrictions on her are lifted, the release will pose danger to her as well as to the nation," said the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

"In fact, for the people of Myanmar, Daw Suu Kyi is just a woman turned alien or a grave danger to the nation," said the junta's mouthpiece.

Following the extension of her house arrest, the United States -- a vocal critic of Myanmar -- said it would pursue an unprecedented UN Security Council resolution calling on the junta to change its repressive policies.

"The US and liberal groups are making demands for her release. That is, in fact, completely meaningless," the daily said, warning that the democracy icon would remain under house arrest unless she gives up her democracy causes.