Aung San Suu Kyi released

Burma's military government freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday after her latest term of detention expired.

As many as 5,000supporters gathered outside her residence in Rangoonas she appeared at the gate of her compound.

It took Suu Kyi, 65,about 20 minutes to quiet theboisterouswell-wishers.Shespoke briefly, thanking her supporters.

"I haven't seen you for a long time," she said, addingthey would see each other again Sunday at the headquarters of her political party.

"If we work in unity, we will achieve our goal," she said. "We have a lot of things to do."

She was expected Sunday to meet withher party, diplomats, the public and media, and to attend the funeral of afriend. She was alsoplanning a customary visit toRangoon's Shwedagon pagoda.

Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the past 21 years in detention without trial. Her latest period of house arrest spanned7years.

The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and devout Buddhist has promoted a non-violent movement for democracy in Burma, also known as Myanmar, which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

The release from house arrest of one of the world's most prominent political prisoners came a week after an election that was swept by the military's proxy political party and decried by Western observers as a sham designed to perpetuate authoritarian control.

Harper praises 'champion of peace'

Prime Minister Stephen Harperwelcomed the release of Suu Kyi, calling her "an unwavering champion of peace." Canada has long supported Suu Kyi in her efforts to bring genuine democracy to the country, he said in a statement as he attended a Pacific Rim summit in Yokohama, Japan. Shewas granted honorary Canadian citizenshipin 2007.

U.S. President Barack Obama calledSuu Kyi one of his heroes and a"source of inspiration for all who work to advance basic human rights in Burma and around the world."

Obama said Suu Kyi's release doesn't change the fact that she and the political opposition she represents have been "systematically silenced." British Prime Minister David Cameron also called Suu Kyi an inspiration andsaid her release was long overdue.

While world leaders are heralding Suu Kyi's release, some say the euphoria must be kept in context.

"Of course it is good news," said Zoya Phan, international co-ordinator at Burma Campaign U.K. and arefugee from Burma now living in England. "We are very happy to see Aung San Suu Kyi released after seven years of house arrest, but it shouldn't be interpreted as change is on the way because we know the regime is releasing her just because of their public relations. It's not about democratic reform."

Critics saythe Nov. 7 elections were manipulated to give the pro-military party a sweeping victory. Results have been released piecemeal andhave given the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party a majority in both legislative houses.

The last elections in 1990 were won overwhelmingly by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, but the military refused to hand over power and instead clamped down on opponents.

Peter Van Loan, Canada's minister of international trade, said there is still concern over where Burmais headed politically.

"The elections that we saw happen this week obviously fell far short of any standard that would be acceptable to us as a demonstration of democracy," Van Loan said at the Asia Pacific EconomicCooperation meeting in Japan. "So while her release is a step forward, we hope that this will be a first small step toward real democratization and freedom in Burma."