Historic milestone: Obama hails Myanmar for swearing-in first civilian president

Washington: US President Barack Obama on Wednesday described as “historic milestone” the swearing-in of Myanmar’s first civilian president in decades that marks a significant power-shift ending military rule. Congratulating U Htin Kyaw, Obama said he “looks forward to working with him and the new government”. [caption id=“attachment_2700800” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of US President Barack Obama. AP[/caption] “U Htin Kyaw’s inauguration represents a historic milestone in the country’s transition to a democratically elected, civilian-led government,” he said in a statement. This extraordinary moment in Myanmar’s history is a testament to its people, institutions, and leaders who have worked together to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, and it speaks to the significance of the reforms the country has undertaken since 2011, he said. Obama said the country will face significant challenges going forward, including achieving broad-based economic development, advancing national reconciliation, and promoting the rights and freedoms of all its people. “The United States looks forward to being a friend and partner of the new government and the people of Burma as they make progress toward building a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous future,” he said. The 69-year-old U Htin Kyaw, a close aide of Aung San Suu Kyi, was on Wednesday sworn in as president of Myanmar, that entered a new era with the Nobel Laureate’s democracy movement assuming power after 50 years of military domination.