A former top general in Myanmar’s military junta has pledged to work with Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition after landmark elections, in a sign of the likely political flux that will follow Sunday’s historic parliamentary vote.
Thura Shwe Mann, who was toppled as ruling party chairman in a palace coup in August, pointed to the popularity of Ms Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy and said he would co-operate with her in the national interest.
The comments by the former number three in the dictatorship that stepped down in 2011 highlight the unusual alliances springing up as the battle between Myanmar’s military and civilian politicians mixes with personal ambitions. Until his exit, Mr Shwe Mann had been viewed as Ms Suu Kyi’s probable choice for the presidency in the event of an NLD victory, given that she is constitutionally barred from the top job herself.