U Win Myint sworn in as Myanmar's president

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Myanmar's President-elect U Win Myint was sworn in to office on Friday as new president at the session of the Union Parliament.

First Vice President-elect U Myint Swe and Second Vice President-elect U Henry Van Thio also took the oath of office in the presence of Union Parliament Speaker U Mahn Win Khaing Than at the swearing-in ceremony, observed by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Newly elected Myanmar President Win Myint waves after taking an oath in Parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar March 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Win Myint, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was elected the new president on Wednesday to fill the vacancy left by former President U Htin Kyaw, who announced resignation last week citing health reasons.

Win Myint is a long-time member of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which won a landslide victory in Myanmar's general election in November 2015.

Suu Kyi, constitutionally barred from the presidency because her sons are foreign citizens, is considered the de facto leader of Myanmar's civilian government.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

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