The hugely popular democracy icon and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi will not vie for presidency in Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi's confidant for Myanmar presidency
The National League for Democracy (NLD) party has made the confirmation and instead nominated two allies of Suu Kyi including her driver, Htin Kyaw, believed to be the favourite for the ruling party.
The 70-year-old graduate of the University of London is reportedly believed to be on course for the presidency.
Aung San Suu Kyi apologizes for "not fully fulfilling the people's desire" (to see her become President). #Myanmar pic.twitter.com/xMHTcKLZOM— Steven L Herman (@W7VOA) March 10, 2016
She has however vowed to rule “above” the president, despite being barred from top office by the army-scripted constitution, that does not allow anyone with a foreign spouse or children to hold office.
She has two sons who are British citizens from her late husband.
Suu Kyi fought for democracy in Myanmar and remains the NLD party’s unquestioned leader. She spent 15 years locked away and was awarded the 1991 Nobel prize under house arrest.
Later this month, a vote will be held to elect the president and two vice presidents one from the military bloc and the other from the NLD party.