Myanmar’s coup leader Min Aung Hlaing sworn in as president

Min Aung Hlaing seeks to ‘enhance’ international relations and ties with ASEAN after coup plunged Myanmar into chaos.Myanmar’s coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been sworn in as the country’s new president, five years after he ousted an elected government and triggered a civil war.In his inauguration address in the capital Naypyidaw on Friday, he said that “Myanmar has returned to the path of democracy and is heading towards a better future”, while acknowledging the country still has many “challenges to overcome”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Myanmar’s coup leader elected president by pro-military parliamentlist 2 of 3Myanmar parliament dominated by pro-military party convenes after 5 yearslist 3 of 3Who is fighting in Myanmar’s multi-front civil war?end of listMin Aung Hlaing was voted to the top office last week in a landslide victory by the pro-military parliament, formalising his grip on power. He was among three candidates nominated for the post; the two runners-up became vice presidents.The 69-year-old general seized power in 2021 from Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, placing her under arrest and causing violence, protests and demonstrations that sent Myanmar spiralling into chaos.The coup prompted a mass civil disobedience movement and the formation of anti-coup armed groups, to which the military responded with brutal force. Myanmar was subsequently suspended from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).In his address on Friday, Min Aung Hlaing said they “will ‌enhance ‌international relations and strive to restore normal relations” with ASEAN.Friday’s inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from the neighbouring nations of China, India and Thailand as well as 20 other countries, according to the AFP news agency.Min Aung Hlaing seized power in 2021 from Aung San Suu Kyi [File: Ann Wang/Reuters]Lopsided parliamentary electionMin Aung Hlaing’s election has been decried as a farce by democracy watchdogs.