Brussels  - The European Union expressed sadness and frustration Tuesday at the news that Myanmar's ruling military junta had extended the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi by a further six months.

In a statement, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the news was "very sad and frustrating", considering that it came at a time when so many countries and organizations were focusing on providing assistance to the people affected by the recent cyclone.

"The EU is doing its best to this effect. However, it continues to be deeply concerned by the political situation. Transition to democracy remains important for the future of Burma/Myanmar," Solana said.

In a separate statement Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's external relations commissioner, said she was "personally disappointed that a historic opportunity was missed to give a sign of reconciling political life in Myanmar at a time where national and social cohesion, and solidarity and dialogue, are more needed than ever."

Both officials called for her immediate release, as well as of other political prisoners.

Suu Kyi has been under continual house arrest for the past five years. Since returning to the country in 1988, she has spent a total of 12 years under house arrest.

The latest extension of her open-ended detention came on the 18th anniversary of the landslide election of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) in Myanmar's last general election. The ruling junta has refused to recognize those election results. (dpa)