General Than Shwe (file photo)

Burma's official media says the country's top military leader has congratulated U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

State-run newspapers said Saturday that Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council sent a message to Mr. Obama following his win in U.S. elections.

As senators, Mr. Obama and vice president-elect Joseph Biden have supported U.S. trade and investment sanctions against Burma. Mr. Obama has also called for the unconditional release of the Burma's political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years.

Washington and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Burma, because the military government refuses to hand over power to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which won 1990 general elections in a landslide.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.