Clinton meets Suu Kyi on Myanmar visit

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met opposition leader and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on a historic visit to Myanmar.

The two women shared a private dinner at the home of the top-ranking Yangon-based US diplomat on Thursday before a more formal meeting on Friday at Suu Kyi's residence, effectively her prison until she was released last November after years in detention. 

It is the first time the pair have met in person, though they have spoken by telephone. Clinton has often referred to Suu Kyi as a personal inspiration.

After talks with President Thein Sein earlier in the day, Clinton said the US is ready to further improve relations with Myanmar, but only if it stays on the path of democratisation.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy will contest next year's by-elections for parliament - seen as the next key test of the government's reform programme - and Suu Kyi herself has said she will stand for election.

'Path of reform'

Clinton announced a package of modest steps to improve ties, including US support for new International Monetary Fund and World Bank needs assessment missions and expanded UN aid programs for the country's struggling economy.

She also said the US would consider reinstating a full ambassador in Myanmar and could eventually ease crippling

economic sanctions, but underscored that these future steps would depend on further measurable progress in Myanmar's reform drive.

"It has to be not theoretical or rhetorical. It has to be very real, on the ground, that can be evaluated. But we are open

to that and we are going to pursue many different avenues to demonstrate our continuing support for this path of reform,"

Clinton told reporters in the capital, Naypyidaw

Al Jazeera