Myanmar president, speaker both resign

Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw has resigned to take a rest, an official news release from the President’s Office said on Wednesday.

The vacant presidential post will be filled by election in the Union Parliament within seven working days, according to a statement of the President’s Office.

First Vice-President U Myint Swe will serve as acting president, according to the Constitution, until the Parliament reelects the president, said U Zaw Htay, director-general of the president’s office.

He said the resigned president recently underwent successful surgery in Singapore and is enjoying good health, but he insisted on his decision to resign.

U Htin Kyaw, 72, was elected president on March 30, 2016, after the Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy won the 2015 general election.

Meanwhile, Myanmar Parliament Speaker U Win Myint resigned after two years, Deputy Speaker T Khun Myat said on Wednesday.

The vacant post of speaker of the House of Representatives will first be filled within seven days before the presidential re-election, said Dr Hla Moe, Parliament member from Aung Myay Thar Zan constituency, Mandalay region.