Myanmar military signals leadership changes as parade begins

NAYPYIDAW, Mar 27 (AFP): Myanmar's junta signalled changes in the military's leadership ahead of the country's annual show of force on Friday, potentially clearing the way for defence chief Min Aung Hlaing to become president.

Tanks and military trucks laden with rocket launchers and mobile field guns trundled through the streets as thousands of soldiers marched for Armed Forces Day in the capital Naypyidaw, where Min Aung Hlaing will make his yearly speech to rally morale.

He has ruled by diktat since ousting the hugely popular government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 -- detaining the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dissolving her party and triggering civil war.

There will be "leadership changes" in the armed forces after the ceremony, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper quoted Min Aung Hlaing's deputy Soe Win as saying at an official dinner Thursday.

Lawmakers are set to begin the process of selecting a president next week following a walkover victory by pro-military parties earlier this year in elections overseen by the junta.

Democracy monitors said the elections were stage-managed to shut out opposition.

Under the constitution, Min Aung Hlaing would have to step down from his military post to become president, and Soe Win's comments reinforce expectations that he will do so.