Hardliner replaces ‘moderate’ Burmese prime minister

BURMA’S secretive military regime has sacked its prime minister, seen as a relative pragmatist, and replaced him with a general who has taken a hard line in dealing with the country’s pro-democracy movement.

Neighbouring Thailand said PM general Khin Nyunt had been sacked and placed under house arrest on corruption charges.

But the Burmese military said he was “permitted to retire for health reasons” - a euphemism used in the past for the forced departure of cabinet members. The statement was signed by the junta’s supreme leader, Senior General Than Shwe.