Myanmar's president, a close friend of leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said today that he was retiring, a move that puts a representative of the country's already powerful military at least temporarily in a position of executive power.
An announcement posted on the Facebook page of the Myanmar President Office said 71-year-old Htin Kyaw would step down because he wished to take a rest.
It follows reports that he suffered ill health that forced him to travel abroad for medical care at least twice in the past year.
The statement said his post would be filled within seven working days, in line with the constitution.
Htin Kyaw, who became president in 2016, was Myanmar's first elected civilian president and head of its first government to be elected in free and fair polls since a 1962 military coup.
After he became president, Suu Kyi became Myanmar's de facto leader when she was named state counsellor, a position created for the country's once-leading voice for democracy because she's constitutionally banned from the presidency.
A clause in the charter bars anyone with a foreign spouse or child from holding the job. Suu Kyi's two sons are British, as was her late husband.
By mutual agreement, Htin Kyaw acted as a proxy for Suu Kyi, who is also foreign minister. Suu Kyi had explained publicly, and to public approval, that she would be "above the president."
He added that Htin Kyaw's stepping down was widely expected because of his health, but that "there won't be much of an impact unless his successor provides some unexpected surprises, good or bad."
The strong majority held by Suu Kyi's party allowed it to name Htin Kyaw president in 2016 and should put its new choice, whoever it may be, back in the job again