Yangon, March 21
Myanmar’s civilian President, Htin Kyaw, has resigned with immediate effect “in order to take rest from the current duties and responsibilities”, his office said in a statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday.
Htin Kyaw, whose post is largely ceremonial, has been a close ally of the country’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
He was handpicked by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate to become president because a constitution drafted by the country’s former junta bars her from the top office.
There has been speculation in the local media for some months that Htin Kyaw was in ill-health, but this was denied by officials.
The president’s office said: “According to the Myanmar constitution article 73 (b), procedures will be undertaken to fill the President vacancy within seven working days.” Reuters