Some 50 political prisoners have been freed in Myanmar under an amnesty granted to 2,800 inmates to mark the nation's Independence

About 20 of those freed from prisons around the country are NLD members, party spokesman Nyan Win told AFP. Another 30 were student leaders or other pro-democracy activists, he said.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, gained independence from Britain on Jan. 4, 1948, after more than 120 years of colonial rule. The country's military junta took power in 1988 after crushing a pro-democracy movement. In 1990, it refused to hand over power to a democratically-elected government.

Win Mya Mya of the National League for Democracy party said about 20 political prisoners were freed. At least two party members Zaw Win, 47, joint secretary of the Mandalay chapter of the party, and Tun Kyi, 42, were among those who gained their freedom. So was Aung Naing, 36, a student activist.

All three told the Associated Press they would continue their fight for democracy.

Prison department officials in Yangon said prominent political prisoners, including the National League for Democracy's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her deputy, Tin Oo, were not released. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals from their superiors.

Party officials also said several aged and ailing political prisoners are still being held, including 76-year old Win Tin, a well-known journalist, and Dr Than Nyein, an elected National League for Democracy lawmaker, who is ill.

"We welcome the release of prisoners but we are very disappointed that elderly, sick and long-term prisoners are not among those released today," said sthe party's spokesman, Nyan Win.