UN envoy heads to Myanmar

Yangon: United Nations ambassador Ibrahim Gambari on Saturday headed to Myanmar to persuade its ruling generals to use negotiations instead of guns to end mass protests.

"He's the best hope we have. He is trusted on both sides," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said. "If he fails, then the situation can become quite dreadful."

Gambari's expected visit follows Myanmar's foreign minister apology to Japan after protests over the killing of a Japanese photographer during an anti-government rally in the country.

Foreign Minister Nyan Win said that Kenji Nagai's death "was extremely regrettable and we will lodge a stern protest", the Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday.

Nagai was shot while taking pictures of the protest in Yangon on Thursday. He later died.

Meanwhile, internet access has been restored in Myanmar, a day after a blackout believed to have been imposed to stop reports and pictures of the brutal crackdown.

Internet users inside Myanmar were able to see domestic web pages as well as send e-mails outside the country.

Yangon's city centre was quiet on Saturday morning after troops and riot police barricaded off the area centre.

State media say nine people have been killed in days of protests, although world leaders including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown say the figure is likely to be far higher.