NAYPYITAW, 03 December 2021, (TON): Myanmar’s underground government has welcomed a decision by a United Nations credentials committee to keep the country’s current representative in place, calling the move a first step towards international recognition.

The nine-member Credentials Committee of the General Assembly, responsible for approving the nominations of each UN member state’s ambassador to the world body, deferred a decision on who will represent Afghanistan and Myanmar.

The deferral means that Kyaw Moe Tun, appointed by now-deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government last year, will remain as Myanmar's permanent representative for now.

The 52-year-old diplomat denounced the junta and chose to continue to represent the elected government shortly after the military takeover.

The National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of elected lawmakers, civil society groups, and other anti-regime forces, sees the UN committee’s move as a step forward in gaining legitimacy as the official government of Myanmar.

Aung Myo Min, the NUG’s minister for human rights, said in an interview “we can say that the first step has succeeded for U Kyaw Moe Tun to continue representing Myanmar as a permanent ambassador.”

He added “the General Assembly’s decision would be a master key for NUG and U Kyaw Moe Tun to open every door.”