Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed her happiness over lifting of sanctions by the United States on her country. She felt that her countrymen should now take responsibility for ushering in democracy in Myanmar. She considered the process as a common goal with President Thein Sein.

Suu Kyi, who is on a landmark visit to the United States, met President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday.

Addressing the media with Ban, Suu Kyi appreciated the support of the the US Congress for many years for the democratic movement in Myanmar.

The US had announced yesterday it is lifting sanctions on Myanmar President Thein Sein and parliamentary speaker Thura Shwe Mann. US Congress also honoured Suu Kyi with the highest civilian honour at a ceremony in Washington. The US Treasury Department also acknowledged steps taken by Sein and Mann to promote political reforms and human rights.

Ban said the areas of cooperation with Myanmar are on track. These include normalisation of the UN activities in the country, helping the first-ever census of population and housing, and helping the nation eliminate drugs and promote socio-economic development. He said this will be UN's continuing priority to work with the Myanmar government. He said UN count on Aung Suu Kyi's continuing commitment and leadership, and it has great expectations of her leadership.He said the UN and Suu Kyi must work together for Myanmar's democratisation.