Relief as Myanmar opposition ends boycott

Relief on the streets of Yangon, Myanmar, as pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party agrees to end a boycott of parliament.

People gathered here at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar's former capital hope Suu Kyi can now change things in the country for the better.

(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) 47-YEAR-OLD MA AYE MU (PRON: 'MA EI MU'), SAYING:

"She can do more for the people, she's completely different to the current government, as different as the sky is to the earth: she considers the problems of the poor too."

The National League for Democracy boycott was over the wording of an oath sworn by new members of parliament.

The NLD had wanted to replace the words "safeguard the constitution" with "respect the constitution."

Member of parliament Win Htein says the decision is for the good of the people.

(SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY (NLD) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, WIN HTEIN (PRON: 'WIN TAYN'), SAYING:

"You could say we're backing down, but we're doing this because our political allies and the people want it. It's been a constant pain in the backside - do we stand or sit or go or stay. But now I feel relieved because at least things have been decided."

NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi is to meet U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Yangon on Tuesday.

Nick Rowlands, Reuters.