Aung Shwe and U Lwin, chairman and secretary respectively of Burma's main opposition National League for Democracy party, or NLD, were released from house arrest on Tuesday and are meeting with party members, said Thein Nyunt, a party member that met Aung Shwe on Wednesday morning.

The source added that the party would decide whether to attend the upcoming National Convention only when two executive committee members still under detention—secretary-general Aung San Suu Kyi and vice chairman Tin Oo—are able to join to discuss the issue.

Although Aung Shwe and U Lwin were released on Tuesday, the telephone lines at the two men’s houses remained cut this afternoon. The two have been detained since May 30 last year along with Suu Kyi and Tin Oo after a government-orchestrated mob attacked an NLD convoy at Depayin, Sagaing Division.

Thein Nyunt said that Aung Shwe appeared healthy, but a lit bit thinner than before his arrest.

The National Convention, which is tasked with drawing up a new constitution for Burma, is due to re-convene on May 17 after an eight-year hiatus as the first of a seven-step roadmap announced by Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt in August last year.

The military regime recently invited representatives of the NLD—including the two leaders released yesterday—and other political parties to the assembly. The convention originally opened in 1993 but was halted in 1996 after the NLD walked out, claiming that procedures were undemocratic.

Burmese Foreign Minister Win Aung told reporters on April 3 in Bangkok that Suu Kyi may be released before the start of the convention. UN special envoy to Burma, Razali Ismail, said after his most recent trip to Rangoon that she might be released on April 16, which marks Burmese New Year.

NLD executive committee member Than Tun said on Wednesday morning by phone that the seven members now free are scheduled to meet this afternoon. He didn’t disclosed what would be discussed.

Other NLD sources in Rangoon said that the authorities allowed Aung San Suu Kyi, Aung Shwe, Tin Oo and U Lwin to meet in March at Suu Kyi's house. But the report has not been confirmed independently yet.

On Tuesday the US welcomed the release of the NLD leaders but expressed concern that Suu Kyi and hundreds of other political prisoners are still under detention.