Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday said she is still "fond" of her country's army, even though it kept her under house arrest for 15 years.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, she told presenter Kirsty Young her Buddhist faith had helped her defy Burma's dictatorship, and later face them when taking a seat in parliament.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner's father, Aung San, is considered the father of modern Myanmar, and founded its army.
During the programme, which was recorded at her home in December, Suu Kyi admitted: "It's genuine, I'm fond of the army.
"People don't like me for saying that. There are many who have criticised me for being what they call a poster girl for the army - very flattering to be seen as a poster girl for anything at this time of life - but I think the truth is I am very fond of the army, because I always thought of it as my father's army."
Suu Kyi said she was happy to admit that she wants to become Myanmar's president, and dismissed politicians who pretend they are not hungry for power.
"I would like to be president," she said.
The democracy icon has also voiced confidence that the country's powerful military will support changes to the constitution that would allow her to become president.