U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon rebuked Myanmar’s generals on Saturday for denying him a visit to see detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and said she should be allowed to take part in politics before 2010 elections.

The U.N. Secretary-General expressed “deep disappointment” at the end of a two-day visit to the military-ruled state.

In a rare speech in Yangon to a crowd of about 500 diplomats, state officials, non-governmental organisations and opposition politicians, Ban sharply criticised Myanmar for its human rights record and its failure to free political prisoners.