The world's most famous political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi, is set to be freed from 19 months in house arrest within days despite fears a last-minute hitch had delayed her release, political sources said on Saturday.

Myanmar has been abuzz all week with speculation that the 56-year-old Nobel peace laureate was about to be freed after striking a deal with the ruling junta in a breakthrough after years of political stalemate.

Senior leaders of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) say she told them this week she expected to be released soon following secret meetings with the junta.

But the military government has been silent and the way to Suu

Kyi's home on University Avenue in Yangon was still blocked off on Saturday by barricades and a "No Entry" sign.

Every day, scores of opposition activists have crammed into the dilapidated headquarters of the NLD waiting for word. So far, they have heard nothing.

Political sources told Reuters it was probable Suu Kyi would be freed on Sunday or Monday, and that she would speak to the media on Monday. But there was also speculation that her release had been held up by haggling over whether there would be any conditions attached.

Suu Kyi spent a previous spell in house arrest from 1989 to 1995, and her release then was marked with jubilant scenes as large crowds thronged the street outside her residence.