Burma gets first civilian president in 50 years (not_

[Ichingcarpenter]

Remember Burma?


Burma's parliament has named former general and outgoing prime minister Thein Sein as the country's first civilian president after nearly 50 years of military rule.

Thein Sein is an ally of top general Than Shwe. His vice-presidents will be Tin Aung Myint Oo and Sai Mauk Kham.

All three are members of the military-backed USDP party, which won a large majority in November's polls.

The election - Burma's first in 20 years - was widely condemned as a sham.

Thein Sein, a career soldier who first joined the military government in 1997, will now appoint ministers to serve in his new administration.

Critics say they expect most senior positions to go to other retired or still serving military officers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12362745

The parliament must include 25% military members by law.