November 14, 2010 15:18

U2 frontman Bono hails the release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Singer says he's 'feeling great' after Burmese pro-democracy leader is finally freed

Photo Gallery: U2
Photo: Drew Farrell

U2 frontman Bono has hailed the release of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The singer, who has heavily campaigned for her release throughout the band's global 360° Tour, said he was "feeling great" for the Nobel Peace Prize winner who was released yesterday (November 13) after serving 15 of the past 21 years in detention.

"I'm very excited, very thrilled at the possibility that this might be the beginning of some sort of rational discussion," Bono said.

"At the same, it's sort of a cautious joy, because though she's out in the world, in a way we need her to be, she's perhaps more vulnerable, if they should want to take advantage of her being outside her own four walls."

Suu Kyi was the subject of the Grammy award winning single 'Walk On', taken from U2's 2000 album 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'.

She won the Burmese elections in 1990 with the National League for Democracy, but was never allowed to take power.

Suu Kyi has previously been released twice by Myanmar's ruling junta before being put under house arrest again.

"She is kind of the Mandela of our moment," Bono told CNN, referring to Nelson Mandela, who spent decades in prison during South Africa's apartheid era prior to his release and political ascent.

"She's a character of great grace. Her struggle has become a symbol of what's best about our humanity and worst."