Myanmar names naval chief as new vice president

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar — Myanmar's parliament has appointed the country's naval chief as one of the nation's two vice presidents.

Upper house speaker Khin Aung Myint announced Vice Admiral Nyan Tun's appointment during a legislative session in the capital Naypyitaw on Wednesday.

The 58-year-old Nyan Tun is seen as a political moderate. He has been Myanmar's naval commander since 2008.

His predecessor Tin Aung Myint was considered a hard-liner, and there has been speculation that he had disagreed with President Thein Sein's reformist agenda.

Tin Aung Myint's resignation, officially for health reasons, was announced last month.

Nyan Tun was selected by military lawmakers, who make up 25 percent of the legislature and have the have the right to name one of the country's two vice presidents.