Myanmar's "hardliner" first vice president resigns

May 10, 2012 1:38 pm

Yangon - Myanmar's First Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo has submitted his resignation, removing one of the main opponents to the government's reform agenda, a senior official confirmed Thursday.

"He recently sent in his resignation letter to President Thein Sein, citing health problems," said the official who is close to the first vice president.



Tin Aung Myint Oo, who is reportedly suffering from throat cancer,has become a temporary monk in a Buddhist temple to Hmawbi district,50 kilometres north of Yangon, said the official, who requested anonymity.



It was not immediately clear whether Thein Sein had officially accepted the resignation.



Tin Aung Myint Oo was appointed to the post of first vice president by the military, which remains the dominant political power despite the November 2010 general election, which brought the current government to office.//DPA