Myanmar's parliament elects Suu Kyi confidant as president
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Nay Pyi Taw - Myanmar's lawmakers Tuesday elected a close aide and longtime friend of Aung San Suu Kyi to become the country's first civilian president in decades, in a historic moment for the formerly junta-run nation.
Naypyitaw - Myanmar's parliament electeda close friend and confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyias president on Tuesday, making Htin Kyaw the first head ofstate who does not hail from a military background since the1960s.
Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy (NLD) to alandslide election win in November, but a constitution draftedby the former junta bars her from the top office.
Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy (NLD) to alandslide election win in November, but a constitution draftedby the former junta bars her from the top office.
She has vowed to run the country anyway through a proxy, andon Thursday the NLD nominated Htin Kyaw for the role. He runs acharity founded by Suu Kyi and has been a trusted member of herinner circle since the mid-1990s. He is not a lawmaker.
Htin Kyaw received 360 votes of the 652 cast, the parliamentary official counting the votes said on Tuesday.//AFP
Htin Kyaw received 360 votes of the 652 cast, the parliamentary official counting the votes said on Tuesday.//AFP
