Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption US President Obama: "The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished" 
 
 Burma is on a "remarkable journey" of reform that has much further to go, Barack Obama said as he made the first visit to the South East Asian nation by a serving US president. 
 
 A desire for change had been met by an agenda of reform, he said, and he was there to extend a "hand of friendship". 
 
 But, in a speech at Rangoon University, he urged Burmese people to accept Muslim Rohingyas after recent violence. 
 
 Crowds of people, some waving US flags, lined the streets as he arrived. 
 
 The visit was intended to show support for the reforms put in place by Thein Sein's government since the end of military rule in November 2010. 
 
 Activists have warned that the visit may be too hasty - political prisoners remain behind bars and ethnic conflicts in border areas are unresolved. 
 
 On Monday another prisoner amnesty was announced, with about 50 of the 66 inmates freed reportedly political detainees. About 200 political prisoners remain behind bars, activists say. 
 
 'Flickers of progress' 
 
 Mr Obama spent about six hours in Burma and did not visit the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. 
 
 Campaigners are asking why such an important visit had to happen so soon, apparently before Mr Obama's people had secured any concessions from the Burmese government Perils of embracing Burma 
 
 The highlight of his visit was a speech at Rangoon University, which was at the heart of pro-democracy protests in 1988 that were violently suppressed by the military regime. 
 
 Addressing students, he said America would help to rebuild Burma's economy and could be a partner on its journey forward. 
 
 Referring to his 20 January 2009 inauguration speech in which he pledged the US would extend a hand to any country that was willing to unclench its fist, he said: "Today I've come to keep my promise and extend the hand of friendship. 
 
 "But this remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go. 
 
 Image caption Mr Obama toured Shwedagon Pagoda, in the heart of Rangoon 
 
 "Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation. The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished." 
 
 He called for an end to communal violence between Muslims and Buddhists in the western state of Rakhine that has left more than 100,000 people displaced. They are mostly Muslim Rohingyas who are stateless and face severe discrimination in Burma. 
 
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 "National reconciliation will take time, but for the sake of our common humanity, and for the sake of this country's future, it is necessary to stop the incitement and to stop violence," he said. 
 
 Earlier Mr Obama met Thein Sein, saying the reform process "here in Myanmar... is one that can lead to incredible development opportunities". 
 
 He used the country name preferred by the government - US officials described the move as a "diplomatic courtesy" but not a policy shift. 
 
 Obama then met pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the lakeside home where she spent years under house arrest. She thanked the US for its support but warned that difficult times could lie ahead. 
 
 "The most difficult time in any transition is when we think that success is in sight," she said, saying people should not be "lured by a mirage of success". 
 
 The US president and his team also made a brief stop at Shwedagon Pagoda, the Rangoon landmark that has been at the heart of many key moments in the country's history. 
 
 Mr Obama was accompanied by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - who was returning to Burma almost a year after her first visit. 
 
 Sanctions relaxed 
 
 Thein Sein's government came to power after widely criticised polls in November 2010 that saw military rule replaced with a military-backed civilian government. 
 
 Since then - to the surprise of many - his administration has embarked on a reform process. Many - but not all - political prisoners have been freed, censorship has been relaxed and some economic reforms enacted. 
 
 Ms Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest shortly after the polls. Her NLD party, which boycotted the elections, has since rejoined the political process. It now has a small presence in parliament after a landslide win in by-elections deemed generally free and fair in April. 
 
 In response to the reforms, many Western nations have relaxed sanctions against Burma and begun a process of engagement. 
 
 But rights groups have cautioned against a rush to embrace the South East Asian nation, warning that political prisoners remain behind bars and ethnic conflicts are unresolved. 
 
 After visiting Burma, Mr Obama headed to Cambodia to join a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations, in a trip that underlines the shift in US foreign policy focus to the Asia-Pacific region. 

 In a historic trip to a long shunned land, President Barack Obama on Monday showered praise and promises of more U.S. help to Myanmar if the Asian nation keeps building its new democracy. "Our goal is to sustain the momentum," he declared with pride as the first U.S. president to visit here. 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama and Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi speak to press at her residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama who touched down Monday morning, becoming the... (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the media as he stands with Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama touched down Monday morning,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Myanmar students hold Myanmar and U.S. flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin... (Associated Press) 
 
 Myanmar students wave Myanmar and U.S. flags as they wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International Airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin... (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama is presented with flowers as he arrives at Yangon International Airport in Yangon, Myanmar, on Air Force One, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. This is the first visit to Myanmar by a... (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton wave as they arrive at Yangon International Airport in Yangon, Myanmar, on Air Force One, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. This is the first... (Associated Press) 
 
 Young boys and girls line the streets waving flags along the motorcade route in anticipation of the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama, in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez... (Associated Press) 
 
 Police officers stand guard in a park opposite the Yangon Parliament house where President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet Myanmar's President Thein Sein in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. ... (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra toast during an official dinner at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Associated Press) 
 
 In this picture taken on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, student leaders of a successive uprising, from left, Zaw Zaw Min, Hla Shwe, and Ragu Ne Myint walk outside the main gate of the University of Yangon,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Myanmar Buddhist monks wait to welcome the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama at Yangon International airport Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama is presented with flowers as he and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, right, arrive at Yangon International Airport in Yangon, Myanmar, on Air Force One, Monday, Nov.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at Yangon International Airport on her return from India tour Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo / Khin Maung Win) (Associated Press) 
 
 People holding a poster with portraits of U.S. President Barack Obama, left, Myanmar President Thein Sein, center, and Myanmar opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as they wait to welcome... (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama, right, accompanied by Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, addresses members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama who... (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama kisses Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on the cheek after they spoke to press at her residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Obama touched down Monday... (Associated Press) 
 
 in this photo provided by Thailand's Royal Household Bureau, U.S. President Barack Obama, left, talks with Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Royal... (Associated Press) 
 
 U.S. President Barack Obama, right, waves as he embraces Myanmar democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi after addressing members of the media at Suu Kyi's residence in Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tens of thousands of people lined the streets as Obama packed in diplomacy and soaked in his steamy surroundings. He shared words and an affectionate hug with the Aung San Suu Kyi, the democracy activist who endured years of house arrest to gain freedom and become a lawmaker. 
 
 "We are confident that this support will continue through the difficult years that lie ahead," she said of the help from America, Obama at her side. "The most difficult time in any transition is when you think that success is in sight. We have to be very careful that we're not lured by a mirage of success." 
 
 Obama told her that if the nation's leaders keep making true reforms, "we will do everything we can to ensure success." 
 
 The president was then on his way to give a televised speech at the University of Yangon, in which he would deliver the same message. Obama planned to tell his audience that the United States is ready to "extend the hand of friendship" now that Myanmar has unclenched its fist of iron rule. 
 
 "Instead of being repressed, the right of people to assemble together must now be fully respected," the president said in speech excerpts released by the White House. "Instead of being stifled, the veil of media censorship must continue to be lifted. As you take these steps, you can draw on your progress." 
 
 Long isolated because of a repressive military rule, Myanmar began a transition to democracy began last year. 
 
 After meeting with President Thein Sein, who has orchestrated much of his country's transition to democracy, Obama said the reforms "in Myanmar" could unleash "the incredible potential of this beautiful country." 
 
 Obama's language alone was significant. The United States still officially refers to the country as Burma, after the former ruling junta summarily changed the name years ago to Myanmar. But U.S. officials _ and now Obama _ have been less rigid about using the old name as relations change. 
 
 Obama met with Suu Kyi in the very home where she spent years under house arrest, a gated compound with a lawn ringed by roses. 
 
 On an overcast and steamy day, Obama touched down Monday morning. The city basically stopped for his visit, with many people waving American flags and taking photos with their smartphones. 
 
 Obama's visit to Myanmar was to last just six hours, but it carries significant symbolism, reflecting a remarkable turnaround in the countries' relationship. 
 
 Obama has rewarded Myanmar's rapid adoption of democratic reforms by lifting some economic penalties. The president has appointed a permanent ambassador to the country, and pledged greater investment if Myanmar continues to progress following a half-century of military rule. 
 
 Some human rights groups say Myanmar's government, which continues to hold hundreds of political prisoners and is struggling to contain ethnic violence, hasn't done enough to earn a personal visit from Obama. The president says his visit is not an endorsement of the government in Myanmar, but an acknowledgment that dramatic progress is underway. 
 
 Obama came down the steps of Air Force One next to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in recognition of their final foreign trip together. Clinton is leaving the job soon. 
 
 The president's stop came between visits to Thailand and Cambodia. His Asia tour also marks his formal return to the world stage after months mired in a bruising re-election campaign. For his first postelection trip, he tellingly settled on Asia, a region he has deemed the region as crucial to U.S. prosperity and security. 
 
 Aides say Asia will factor heavily in Obama's second term as the U.S. seeks to expand its influence in an attempt to counter China. 
 
 China's rise is also at play in Myanmar, which long has aligned itself with Beijing. But some in Myanmar fear that China is taking advantage of its wealth of natural resources, so the country is looking for other partners to help build its nascent economy. 
 
 Even as Obama turned his sights on Asia, widening violence in the Middle East competed for his attention. 
 
 Obama told reporters Sunday that Israel had the right to defend itself against missile attacks from Gaza. But he urged Israel not to launch a ground assault in Gaza, saying it would put Israeli soldiers, as well as Palestinian citizens, at greater risk and hamper an already vexing peace process. 
 
 As for Myanmar, as he seeks to assuage critics, Obama has trumpeted Suu Kyi's support of his outreach efforts, saying Sunday that she was "very encouraging" of his trip. 
 
 The White House says Obama will express his concern for the ongoing ethnic tensions in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, where more than 110,000 people _ the vast majority of them Muslims known as Rohingya _ have been displaced. 
 
 The U.N. has called the Rohingya _ who are widely reviled by the Buddhist majority in Myanmar _ among the world's most persecuted people. 
 
 The president will deliver his speech at a university that was the center of the country's struggle for independence against Britain and the launching point for many pro-democracy protests. The former military junta shut the dormitories in the 1990s fearing further unrest and forced most students to attend classes on satellite campuses on the outskirts of town. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Associated Press writer Jim Kuhnhenn contributed to this report.
– President Obama praised progress in Burma and promised American help if reforms continue on his visit to the country today, the first by an American president. He met with pro-democracy leader and President Thein Sein before giving a televised speech at the University of Yangon, the AP reports. "Instead of being repressed, the right of people to assemble together must now be fully respected," Obama said in speech excerpts released by the White House. "Instead of being stifled, the veil of media censorship must continue to be lifted. As you take these steps, you can draw on your progress." Tens of thousands of people, many of them waving American flags, lined the streets of Rangoon as Obama arrived in the city, the BBC reports. He met Suu Kyi in the compound where she spent many years under house arrest. "We are confident that this support will continue through the difficult years that lie ahead," she said of the help from America with Obama at her side. "The most difficult time in any transition is when you think that success is in sight. We have to be very careful that we're not lured by a mirage of success."