Htin Kyaw has been sworn in as Myanmar’s new president in a joint session of parliament in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.
The 69-year-old is the first elected civilian leader in more than 50 years.
Htin Kyaw from the National League for Democracy (NLD) takes over from Thein Sein, who introduced wide-ranging reforms during his five years in power.
Although NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency, she has said she will rule by proxy.
The handover completes the transition that began after the NLD won a landslide win in elections in November 2015.
Htin Kyaw said he would be “faithful” to the people of Myanmar, as he took the oath of office.
Vice-presidents Henry Van Thio and Myint Swe, who lost to Htin Kyaw in the presidential vote earlier this month, were also sworn in, as were new cabinet ministers.
Most of the ministers belong to the NLD. The list includes Aung San Suu Kyi who will be in charge of foreign affairs, the president’s office, education, and energy and electric power.
However, the military is appointing its own nominees for three key ministries – defense, home affairs and border affairs.
In a brief speech, Htin Kyaw noted challenges ahead including the need for a nationwide ceasefire. The government has been engaged in armed conflicts with various ethnic groups for decades.
Htin Kyaw also spoke about the constitution complying with modern democratic values, in a nod to the NLD’s stated goal during the election campaign of changing the constitution.
Correspondents say this is perhaps the most sensitive issue in the NLD government’s relationship with the army, who have 25% of parliamentary seats. It means the army retains the power to veto any changes to the constitution, as that would require more than 75% of votes.
The constitution contains a controversial clause barring anyone with family members who have another nationality from becoming president – widely seen as aimed at preventing Aung San Suu Kyi from taking power, as her two sons are British.
Despite the restriction Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains hugely popular and prominent in Myanmar, has vowed to act “above the president”.
Aung San Suu Kyi will reportedly head up foreign affairs, energy, education and be minister in Myanmar’s new cabinet.
Her party, the NDL, won historic elections in the country.
Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency herself and had been widely expected not to take a ministry.
Her name was on a list of 18 submitted to parliament by President-elect Htin Kyaw.
There are no other women appointed to the cabinet.
Myanmar’s constitution, drafted by the outgoing military rulers, prevents Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president because her two sons have British passports.
President-elect Htin Kyaw is Aung San Suu Kyi’s close ally, and she previously said that she would be “above the president” anyway, governing through a proxy.
The cabinet announcement came as a surprise – many had assumed that Aung San Suu Kyi would control the government from the outside.
If Aung San Suu Kyi does become foreign minister, under the complex political structure she will have to stand down as a lawmaker and refrain from all NLD activities.
Fifteen of the names on the list were chosen by Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate and former political prisoner, and three by the commander-in-chief of the army.
Parliament is expected to vote later in the week to confirm the posts.
After his election last week, Htin Kyaw said his appointment was “Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory”.
The NLD has a huge majority in both houses of parliament, despite the military occupying 25% of seats, so the candidate it backed was all but guaranteed to win.
Despite weeks of negotiation prior to the vote in parliament, the NLD was unable to persuade the military to remove or suspend the clause that prevented Aung San Suu Kyi taking office.
Htin Kyaw has become Myanmar’s first civilian president after more than 50 years of military rule.
The parliament has elected Htin Kyaw, a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to victory in historic elections in November.
Htin Kyaw said his appointment was “Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory”.
Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from the post by the constitution, but has said she will lead the country anyway.
Htin Kyaw won with 360 of the 652 votes cast in the two houses of parliament, with lawmakers erupting into applause when the result was announced.
“Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory. Thank you,” Htin Kyaw said after winning.
In second place was Myint Swe, who was nominated by the military and received 213 votes.
Photo AP
A close ally of former junta leader Than Shwe, Myint Swe is seen as a hardliner.
Myint Swe was followed by Htin Kyaw’s running mate and ethnic Chin candidate Henry Van Thio, who got 79 votes.
They will serve as first vice-president and second vice-president respectively.
Myanmar’s president is chosen from candidates put forward by each of the two houses of parliament, in addition to a third nominee from the military.
Aung San Suu Kyi’ NLD has a huge majority in both houses of parliament, despite the military occupying 25% of seats, so the candidate it backed was all but guaranteed to win.
However, correspondents warn of increasing confrontation in parliament in the future as lawmakers push against an army determined to hold onto the powers it has under the constitution.
The army still controls key security ministries and also has the power to veto any changes to the constitution as that would require more than 75% of parliamentary votes.
Correspondents say that Htin Kyaw’s election is widely supported among the Burmese people, as he has a solid reputation and is known to be trusted by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Despite Aung San Suu Kyi’s popularity and prominence in Myanmar – also known as Burma – she could not take the presidency herself.
A clause in the constitution, widely seen as being tailored against Aung San Suu Kyi, says anyone whose children have another nationality cannot become president. Her children hold British passports.
Despite weeks of negotiation prior to the vote, the NLD were unable to persuade the military of Myanmar to remove or suspend the clause to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to take office.
Aung San Suu Kyi has previously said that she would be “above the president” anyway, ruling through a proxy.
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