Myanmar's former dictator sees erstwhile foe Aung San Suu Kyi as the country's "future leader" and has pledged to support her even though she is currently barred by the constitution from becoming president.
Than Shwe, who headed a military junta until he stepped down in 2011 and who many believe remains powerful behind the scenes, made the remarks during secret talks with the democracy icon on Friday, his grandson, Nay Shwe Thway Aung, said.
"It is the truth that she will become the future leader of the country," Than Shwe was quoted as saying by his grandson at the meeting with Suu Kyi, the first between the two.
"I will support her with all of my efforts," Nay Shwe Thway Aung quoted Than Shwe as saying in a statement posted on Facebook late on Saturday.
It was unclear whether Than Shwe's comments were a call for the constitution, drafted by his junta in 2008, to be changed to allow the Nobel laureate to become president.
She is barred from the highest office because of her sons' foreign citizenship.
Attempts by her National League for Democracy (NLD) to amend the relevant article in the constitution have been rebuffed and its landslide election win last month does not guarantee it control of parliament.
Than Shwe has no official role. But though he has been out of the public eye since 2011, many in Myanmar are convinced he remains politically involved behind the scenes.
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