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Myanmar's military vows to join hands with civilian leaders

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's military chief has pledged to join hands with a new civilian government that takes over the Southeast Asian country next week, after 54 years of rule by the junta or its proxy. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing says the armed forces will work to bring about prosperity for the nation. He spoke Sunday during the annual Armed Forces Day parade in the capital of Naypyitaw. Myanmar's military ran the country directly or indirectly for five decades before handing over to a quasi-civilian government in 2011. Last year's elections propelled Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy into power, although the military remains a powerful political force. Suu Kyi's aide, President-elect Htin Kyaw, will take office next Friday.