Strongman paved way for junta’s return to power in Myanmar

Soldiers sit inside vehicles parked on a road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar (AP)

The man installed by army leaders as Myanmar’s president after a military coup is best known abroad for his role in the crackdown on 2007 pro-democracy protests and for his ties to still powerful military leaders.

Myint Swe was the army-appointed vice president when he was named on Monday to take over after the military arrested civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of her party.