A Myanmar court found pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi guilty today of violating her house arrest, but the head of the military-ruled country said she could serve out an 18-month sentence under house arrest.

The court initially sentenced Suu Kyi to a three-year prison term. But after a five-minute recess, the country's home minister entered the courtroom and read aloud a special order from junta chief Senior Gen Than Shwe.