A report in the New Light of Myanmar said 37 men and nine women would be set free starting Tuesday, although it was unclear if any of the remaining political prisoners -- estimated to be in the hundreds -- were among them.

The decision was made "with a view to ensuring the stability of the State and making eternal peace, national reconciliation, enabling all to participate in political process," the report said.

It came shortly after a Myanmar minister pledged further amnesties for jailed dissidents during a high profile European tour by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi last month.

Myanmar freed more than 300 political prisoners in January, a move which prompted the United States to pledge it would restore full diplomatic ties. About 200 others were let out in October 2011.