Myanmar ex-junta chief makes 1st Asean visit as leader
Yangon, Myanmar—Myanmar coup chief turned president Min Aung Hlaing landed in Laos on Friday, officials said, in his first state visit to an Association of Southeast Asian (Asean) country since claiming the post of civilian leader.
Min Aung Hlaing plunged Myanmar into civil war in 2021 when he commanded a military coup ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, detaining her and ending a decadelong experiment with democracy.
He ruled directly as military chief for five years before becoming civilian president in April after staging elections blocked from rebel territory, excluding Suu Kyi’s party and jailing dissidents.
His new administration is making a push for international legitimacy, analysts say, including in the 11-member Asean bloc which has largely frozen Myanmar out since the coup.
Min Aung Hlaing landed in neighboring Laos on Friday morning accompanied by his wife Kyu Kyu Hla, according to images shared by his presidential information team. Laos local media said the state visit will last three days.
