Myanmar military extends emergency, promises vote in 2 years

BANGKOK (AP) — Six months after seizing power from the elected government, Myanmar’s military leader has declared himself prime minister and said he would lead the country under the extended state of emergency until elections are held in about two years. The state of emergency was declared when troops moved against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, an action the generals said was permitted under the military-authored 2008 constitution. The military claimed her landslide victory in last year’s national elections was achieved through massive fraud but offered no evidence. The military takeover was met with massive public protests that has resulted in a lethal crackdown by security forces who routinely fire live ammunition into crowds. Nearly 1,000 have been killed.