AP

Posted: 2007-10-24 12:15:41

YANGON, Oct. 24 (Kyodo) – (EDS: ADDING DETAILS)

Myanmar ’s state media reported Wednesday that Lt. Gen. Thein Sein has been appointed prime minister, after the death of his predecessor nearly two weeks ago.

Thein Sein, 62, had been serving as acting prime minister since May this year, following former Prime Minister Gen. Soe Win’s absence from work in February after he was diagnosed with leukemia.

The junta announcement, signed by chief of ruling military council, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, said the council’s First Secretary Thein Sein has been reassigned as new prime minister, following the demise of his predecessor Gen. Soe Win on Oct. 12, state-run Myanmar Radio and Television MRTV reported.

The junta, in a separate announcement Wednesday, also appointed its Quartermaster General, Lt. Gen. Tin Aung Myint Oo, 57 as “secretary (1)” of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, the former position of Thein Sein, the MRTV report said.

Additional SPDC announcements promoted Deputy Labor Minister Aung Kyi as minister for labor and also appointed three new deputy ministers — defense, industry (2) and telecommunications, MRTV said.

Aung Kyi, the former army general, is the same person who was appointed Oct. 9, as relations minister, for expected dealings by the military with the detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in the future.