June 23, 2009 (DVB), Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed her regret that she cannot personally thank those who marked her birthday on Friday, according to lawyers who met with Suu Kyi yesterday.

The National League for Democracy leader was allowed to meet with her four legal representatives yesterday afternoon at her unit inside Insein prison.

According to lawyer Nyan Win, they discussed the legal tools available in her ongoing trial, the next hearing of which is scheduled for 26 June.

"One thing I can say now is, she said thank you to all those who wish her happy birthday, home and abroad," he said, adding that she stressed to her well-wishers to "please understand that I can’t thank you individually now".

To mark her birthday she had ordered 50 packets of Biryani rice, chocolate cake and flowers to be distributed to fellow staff and inmates, and was able to carry this out, said Nyan Win.

Tomorrow lawyers of Suu Kyi will argue for the inclusion of two witnesses, Tin Oo and Win Tin. Both were disqualified by judges in May, but the court has accepted an appeal to reconsider their admittance.

A third witness, Khin Mo Mo, a supreme court lawyer from Shan state's Taunggyi, who was initially disqualified but later readmitted will find out on 26 June the date she will be appearing as a witness.

Suu Kyi reportedly reiterated yesterday her frustration at the lack of legal transparency in Burma.

"It is very important that there is the rule of law here; it has been very weak," Nyan Win quoted her as saying.

"The rule of law is the most important thing."

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw