Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary general, publicly criticised Burma’s military rulers this weekend after the country’s powerful army chief rebuffed his plea to meet jailed democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi during a two-day visit.

In a rare critical public speech to 500 state officials, diplomats and opposition politicians at Rangoon’s Drug Elimination Museum, Mr Ban said the military junta had “missed a very important opportunity” as it prepares for controversial parliamentary elections next year.