Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met rebel leaders for the first time at talks aimed at ending decades of war in the country.
The country's military rulers are meeting several armed groups this week at the Union Peace Conference in the capital, Naypyidaw.
The five-day effort follows the signing of a nationwide ceasefire in October last year but some of the largest armed groups continue to boycott the peace process.
For decades armed groups such as the Kachin Independence Army have been battling the central government for independence or greater economy.
Several smaller groups continue to fight in some areas of the country.
Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to oversee the process in her role as the leader of the country's largest party, the National League for Democracy, which won last year's election and is forming the next government.
"In this time, based on the mandate, it is right to do what the people want us to do, we are ready to take the responsibility of building forever peace. I hope everybody will help us," she said.
