Suu Kyi names ex-general to head key panel

Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party yesterday nominated Shwe Mann, one of the country's most powerful politicians, to head a prominent legal advisory panel, as the freshly-elected parliament prepares to choose a new president.

Shwe Mann, the No 3 in the junta that ran Myanmar for half a century before giving way to a semi-civilian government in 2011, grew closer to Suu Kyi in the legislature's last term.

The appointment of Shwe Mann, a former speaker of parliament, will allow Suu Kyi to draw on his deep understanding of the army and the outgoing government to boost her firepower in the assembly.