Musharraf sweeps Pakistan presidential election

Pakistani leader Gen. Pervez Musharraf easily won the country's presidential elections Saturday after a near entire boycott by the opposition.

Musharraf's opponents have objected to the process and the Supreme Court is reviewing the case before permitting release of official results.

Of a total of 1,170 lawmakers eligible to vote, 671 cast their ballots for Musharraf.

Abandoning his trademark military uniform, Musharraf dismissed the idea that the boycott undermined the validity of the election. "Democracy means majority, whether there is opposition or no opposition," he said.

Pakistan ruler General Pervez Musharraf arrives at the President's house in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, Oct 6, 2007. Unofficial results showed Musharraf winning Saturday's presidential election, but the Supreme Court could still disqualify the military leader. AP Photo/B.K.Bangash via Yahoo News.

Gen. Than Shwe may meet with Suu Kyi

Myanmar's military leader may meet with dissident leader Aung San Suu Kyi this week according to reports released on Thursday. The country made headlines recently over its crackdown on protests led largely by Buddhist monks.

eFluxMedia (press release)

Myanmar Junta Leader May Meet With Suu Kyi Wall Street Journal - 2 hours ago AP YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar military leader Gen. Than Shwe told a United Nations envoy this week that he will meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but with preconditions, state media reported Thursday.

Myanmar cracks down on monks, blocks internet

The government cracked down on protesting Buddhist monks and their supporters in Myanmar killing at least 10 and injuring or detaining many others.

Rangoon also blocked land-line access to the internet and surrounded key Buddhist temples in the country.

Monks had joined protests in the country condemning a fuel price hike. The demonstrations continued to swell reaching into the tens of thousands before the government began confronting the protesters earlier this week. According to some reports, hundreds have been killed in the violence.

Myanmar crackdown brings condemnation (AP)

AP - Myanmar's suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators drew condemnation and protests Friday particularly in surrounding Asian countries. ASEAN envoys and China urged the country to exercise restraint in dealing with the protests.