Thousands of cheering supporters have greeted the Burmese pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who is venturing outside the capital for the second time since being released from house arrest in May.

	Aung San Suu Kyi 1988: Aung San Suu Kyi supports pro-democracy uprising 1989: Placed under house arrest 1990: NLD wins election by landslide. Military rejects result 1995: Freed from house arrest 2000: Placed under house arrest 2002: Released unconditionally Profile: Click here

As she opened new offices of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), in Moulmein, south-east of Rangoon, once-forbidden songs played.

About 3,000 clapping people jammed Moulmein's main street as she arrived.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 57, told supporters only the people had the right to decide the nation's fate and her party would persevere in the building of a democratic system.

She is also expected to meet ethnic minority groups such as the Mon, Karen and Pa-O on her four-day tour outside Rangoon.

An NLD spokesman said the military was providing tight security for her trip, but was not following her everywhere.

Burma's generals still seem unwilling to talk to Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of Burma's independence hero Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947.

She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her efforts to bring democracy to Burma, and has spent long periods under house arrest.

Many observers hoped Aung San Suu Kyi's release in May would signal a thaw in relations with Burma's ruling military junta.

But so far she has been largely ignored by the regime and has met no senior generals, dampening hopes for political progress.

The government began a dialogue in October 2000, but officials say the talks have yet to move beyond confidence building.