Myanmar’s junta vies with critic of coup for seat on UN assembly

Both sides have applied for role, raising fears military leadership could be emboldened if chosen

The United Nations will face a dilemma when its general assembly convenes next week, after both Myanmar's military junta and the country's shadow national unity government (NUG) launched rival bids to fill the country's seat.

Myanmar's military, which seized power in February, has sought to replace the current representative, Kyaw Moe Tun, an outspoken critic of the coup. Both the junta and the NUG, which was set up partly by ousted politicians, are believed to have submitted applications to the UN's credentials committee.