Myanmar has sworn in Htin Kyaw, a London-educated economist, from the National League for Democracy (NLD) who takes over from Thein Sein, as the country’s first civilian President in more than 50 years.

Myanmar, also known as Burma,a Southeast Asian was long considered a pariah state while under the rule of an oppressive military junta from 1962 to 2011. The generals who ran the country suppressed almost all dissent – symbolised by the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi – and stood accused of gross human rights abuses, prompting international condemnation and sanctions. A gradual liberalisation process has been under way since 2010. The Aung San Suu Kyi–led National League for Democracy came to power in Myanmar during the historic general election of November 2015, and the country is embracing change.Capital: Naypyidaw