Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw resigned suddenly on Wednesday leaving
the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi without a close confidant
and political ally as she faces rising international opprobrium over
the Rakhine crisis.
The president is an old school friend of Ms. Suu Kyi, serving as her proxy in an office she was barred from occupying according to Myanmar's military-drafted constitution.
His role was largely ceremonial given Ms. Suu Kyi had awarded herself the title State Counsellor and called the shots within her civilian administration.
But he was nonetheless the country's head of state and a key domestic ally for Ms. Suu Kyi within her party.
Speculation had swirled for months about the health of Mr. Htin Kyaw, 72, who had recently lost weight and has had heart problems in the past.
''Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw resigned on March 21, 2018," a statement on the president's official Facebook page said.
His office did not give many details for why he resigned Wednesday, only saying that "he wanted to take a rest from his current duty".
It added that a new leader will be selected in "within seven working days".
The president is an old school friend of Ms. Suu Kyi, serving as her proxy in an office she was barred from occupying according to Myanmar's military-drafted constitution.
His role was largely ceremonial given Ms. Suu Kyi had awarded herself the title State Counsellor and called the shots within her civilian administration.
But he was nonetheless the country's head of state and a key domestic ally for Ms. Suu Kyi within her party.
Speculation had swirled for months about the health of Mr. Htin Kyaw, 72, who had recently lost weight and has had heart problems in the past.
''Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw resigned on March 21, 2018," a statement on the president's official Facebook page said.
His office did not give many details for why he resigned Wednesday, only saying that "he wanted to take a rest from his current duty".
It added that a new leader will be selected in "within seven working days".
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