Burmese army shuffles to beat poll rules

BURMA's top three rulers stepped down from the military yesterday, a senior army source said, paving their way to assume the most powerful roles in the country after a parliamentary election in November.

The resignations mean that military junta supremo Than Shwe, 77 - Burma's leader since 1992 - and right-hand men, Muang Aye, 72, and Thura Shwe Man, 62, are now civilians and can take the posts of president, vice-president or government ministers after the 7 November polls, the first in two decades.

"All top leaders have given up their military positions and the vacant positions have been filled by juniors," a military source confirmed.

The government will be formed by a civilian president chosen by the upper and lower houses following the nomination of three people.

The two unsuccessful candidates automatically become vice-presidents.