AUG 03, (V7N) - Myanmar's detained democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday, marking the first publicly confirmed meeting between the Nobel laureate and a foreign official since her ouster in the 2021 military coup.

The ICRC confirmed that its resident representative to Myanmar, Arnaud de Baecque, visited Suu Kyi and spoke with her in private. The Myanmar president's office released photos of the meeting, showing Suu Kyi shaking hands and sitting with de Baecque.

Suu Kyi, now 81, was transferred from prison to house arrest in April after coup leader and now-President Min Aung Hlaing commuted the remainder of her sentence. She had been jailed on multiple charges that rights groups have dismissed as fabricated to sideline her and her National League for Democracy party.

Her son, Kim Aris, welcomed the meeting as "an important first step" that brought hope. In a social media post, he expressed hope it would lead to greater humanitarian access, direct contact with his mother, credible information about her wellbeing, and ultimately her unconditional release along with all political prisoners.

The ICRC did not disclose Suu Kyi's exact location or health condition, stating that such observations are shared only with detaining authorities. Her continued detention remains a major sticking point for the international community, particularly as Min Aung Hlaing seeks to secure legitimacy and re-engage with ASEAN.

Analysts say the timing of the meeting—days before Min Aung Hlaing's scheduled official visit to Thailand—is likely no coincidence. "It's the old military game plan to use Suu Kyi as a bargaining chip," said independent analyst David Mathieson, adding that permitting access could help Myanmar gain ground with ASEAN.

Myanmar specialist Morgan Michaels agreed, noting that releasing Suu Kyi would go a long way toward facilitating Myanmar's re-invitation at the political level. ASEAN has long pressed for its special envoy to meet Suu Kyi, but Myanmar has so far refused.

END/WD/RH