Burma: "May we be free from economic hardship" monk sets himself on fire

Radio Australia reports that a 26 year old monk set himself on fire in Rangoon's holiest Buddhist temple in an apparent protest against economic hardship in military-ruled Burma.

The monk was praying at a shrine in Shwedagon Pagoda on Friday before dousing himself with petrol and setting himself alight.

Before doing so, hesaid "May we be free from economic hardship."

The man is now recovering in hospital.