YANGON, Nov 12: Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner held under house arrest in Myanmar, left her home for the first time since May to meet a UN diplomat, telling the official she needed more frequent medical attention.

Suu Kyi made the comments to UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari during an hour-long meeting at a government guesthouse on Saturday. Mr Gambari continued meetings with top officials on Sunday before his scheduled departure in the afternoon.

''Aung San Suu Kyi conveyed to Gambari that she is in good health but requires more regular medical visits,'' said the statement issued by the UN's office in Yangon. It did not provide details of her health condition.

The pro-democracy leader looked gaunt in a rare photo released by the United Nations after her meeting with Gambari.

The photograph is believed to be the first image of Suu Kyi released to the outside world since her latest detention began in May 2003. Suu Kyi's personal physician was quoted by state media last week as saying that he had not visited her since Aug. 24 because of political developments in the country.—AP