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Burma's vice-president, a military hardliner who also served under the country's former dictator Than Shwe, has reportedly stepped down from his post. Tin Aung Myint Oo, 61, gave up his position in the Burmese government amid talk of a battle between reformers and hardliners. According to Burmese media reports, Myint Oo submitted his resignation on May 3, citing health concerns for his decision, after returning from Singapore for medical treatment. The development will be seen by many as another reformist move by Thein Sein as he seeks to court the West and develop business ties and diplomatic ties after decades of estrangement, The Independent reports. Myint Oo, a former four-star general, was considered a leader among hardliners in the year-old military-backed government that replaced the various juntas which ruled the country since 1962. Although both he and Thein Sein were close to Than Shwe, Myint Oo and Sein did not reportedly agree on a number of issues.

Burma's hardline vice-president resigns