Myanmar president holds talks with Obama

Myanmar's President Thein Sein has said he was encouraged by US President Barack Obama to continue with his democratic reforms.

Myanmar's president spoke to the media on Saturday, for the first time since taking office, on the Indonesian island of Bali after a series of meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The president said Obama suggested at the East Asia Summit that the democratic reforms taking place in Myanmar are not enough and more needs to be done.

He said the fact that Obama has recognized the changes going on in Myanmar is in itself good news.

In August, President Thein Sein held the first meeting with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He said she understood his government's desire for democracy after they candidly talked with each other.

The president expressed expectations that her National League for Democracy will re-register as a political party, with Aung San Suu Kyi herself standing in by-elections to be held next month.