Mon Oct 8, 10:49 AM ET

YANGON - Myanmar's military government has appointed an official to maintain "relations" with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, state television reported Monday.

Junta leader Than Shwe named the deputy labour minister Aung Kyi "to continue relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the future," state television said, using an honorific to show respect for the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who concluded a mission here last week, had recommended that the junta task an official with maintaining relations with opposition leader, the report added.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for most of the last 18 years, but the military government rarely has any contact with her.

The appointment came just four days after Than Shwe made an offer to meet with her, although the proposal hinged on major conditions including a demand that she drop her support for international sanctions on the regime.

The latest announcement also came with the UN Security Council due Monday to weigh a draft statement condemning the military regime.

The non-binding text, drafted by the United States, Britain and France, was submitted after the world body Friday heard a report from Gambari on his mission to defuse the crisis.

The statement condemns "violent repression of peaceful demonstrations" and urges Myanmar's rulers to "cease repressive measures" and release detainees as well as political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.