Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw resigned Wednesday with his office saying he wants to take a rest from his duties.
The 71-year-old Htin Kyaw was the country's first democratically elected president in decades, but served in a largely ceremonial role after his friend Aung San Suu Kyi became Myanmar's de facto leader with the title of state councilor. She is constitutionally barred from holding the presidency.
Vice President Myint Swe, a former general, will serve as interim president until a new full-time leader is chosen.
The president's office said that as specified in the constitution, the choice of a new president will come within seven working days.
缅甸总统吴廷觉星期三辞职。缅甸总统府说，吴廷觉总统希望辞职休息。
今年71岁的吴廷觉是缅甸数十年来第一位民主选举产生的总统，但是他的政治朋友昂山素季出任国务资政、成为缅甸实际上的领导人之后，总统基本是一个象征性职位。依照缅甸宪法，昂山素季不能当总统。
曾经是将军的缅甸副总统敏瑞将担任临时总统，直到新的总统选出。
缅甸总统府说，依照宪法规定，新总统将在7个工作日之内选出。