Myanmar has a new President-Htin Kyaw

Naypyidaw, Mar 30: A confidante of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Htin Kyaw, has been sworn in as Myanmar's President. At the dawn of ushering in the first democratically elected government, Kyaw took oath in a joint session of Myanmar's newly elected parliament with his two vice presidents at his side. Suu Kyi was seen sitting in the front row, watching the entire event.

Reading out from a written pledge, he said,"I, Htin Kyaw, will be loyal to the union and the people of the union. I will respect this constitution and the laws of the nation."

The same pledge was read by First Vice President Myint Swe and Second Vice President Henry Van Tio. Later in the day. Outgoing President Thein Sein will formerly hand over the office to him later in the day.

Suu Kyi endured years of house arrest and atrocities at the hand of military rulers to bring about democracy in the country. While she was the first presidential choice, she was barred from becoming the president due to a constitutional provision. However, Suu Kyi said that whoever takes over the office will be her proxy. She also said that she will run the government from behind the scenes.

Htin Kyaw marks a significant place in the history of Myanmar as he would be the first civilian president here. The National League for Democracy, headed by Suu Kyi, won a landslide victory in elections last November, implying Suu Kyi's widespread public support.

OneIndia News