Myanmar leader defends military`s political role

Helsinki: Myanmar`s president says the country`s military is likely to retain its quota of seats in Parliament through the next election in 2015.

During a visit to Finland, Thein Sein said that the military has a role in shaping the country`s future and isn`t likely to lose its allotment of 25 per cent of the seats just yet.

Thein Sein said through an interpreter that "there will likely be a gradual decrease (of military power in Parliament) but I cannot ensure that this could happen before 2015 elections."

The Myanmar leader, on his first official European tour, visited Norway earlier this week. He will continue to Austria and Belgium.

PTI