YANGON - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has arrived in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon for talks with the ruling junta aimed at seeking the release of political prisoners, according to local officials.

"Mr Ban Ki-moon has arrived," one official said after Ban touched down on a commercial flight from Singapore for a two-day visit that will include a meeting with military ruler Than Shwe.

Ban said ahead of his arrival that he would seek a meeting with jailed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and would press Myanmar's rulers to free political prisoners including the Nobel Peace laureate.