Myanmar state media say ethnic rebels in the country's north have staged a deadly attack on a prison convoy. The attack highlights a violence-plagued corner of Myanmar just days before a historic visit by President Barack Obama.

White House officials said yesterday that Obama would use his visit to the former pariah state to push for "urgent action" in areas where progress is needed most notably freeing political prisoners and ending ethnic tensions in western Rakhine state and northern Kachin state.

State media reported today that the latest attack occurred in Kachin state, with ethnic Kachin rebels ambushing a five-car prison convoy. The attack on Wednesday left two convicts dead and 14 injured. Obama's visit to Myanmar on Monday is the centerpiece of his first foreign tour since winning the re-election.