Miliary junta to be officially disbanded today

Rangoon - Burma's military supermo announced the junta that ruled the country for the past two decades would be disbanded Wednesday in favour of a newly elected government.

Burmese military announces end of junta after more than two decades.

"The State Peace and Development Council will be disbanded after the swearing-in ceremony for the new government and parliaments," Senior General Than Shwe said in an announcement on state-controlled television.

Burma has been under the junta's rule since 1988 when the army crushed a pro-democracy movement, killing up to 3,000 people.

The junta, led by Than Shwe since 1992, held a general election November 7 that voted in a new government, led by the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party.

Party leader Thein Sein was reportedly sworn in as Burma's new president Wednesday morning, sources said. He replaced Than Shwe as head of state.

Similar ceremonies were held to swear in other cabinet members and all elected parliamentarians, sources said.