Myanmar regime sheds hardliners

Myanmar's reformist regime will drop several hardliners in an imminent reshuffle, a government official said Wednesday, as parliament confirmed the resignation of the army-backed vice president. Around three senior ministers are expected to be replaced by more moderate figures in the new line-up, a government official told AFP, in the latest sign of positive change in the long military-dominated country. "It will come soon," the official said. "Those who are about to be reshuffled are known as hardliners." News of the move -- which comes as members of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party enter parliament for the first time -- coincided with an announcement of the resignation of hardline vice president Tin Aung Myint Oo. "The place of vice-president is vacant. The representatives of the parliament are going to choose another one," said parliamentary documents seen by AFP. The vice president, who had close ties to former junta chief Than Shwe, disappeared from the public eye to become a monk in May, sparking speculation that he would step down. Observers said at the time that his departure could strengthen the hand of reformers in the country if he was replaced by a more moderate figure. His successor will be chosen by unelected military personnel, who hold one quarter of the seats in parliament, and will later be approved by MPs.