Myanmar's acting President Myint Swe who came to power after a 2021 coup dies at 74 after a long illness.

Myint Swe, who became Myanmar’s acting president under controversial circumstances after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi more than four years ago, died on Thursday, the military said.

According to a statement from Myanmar’s military information Office, he died at a military hospital in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Thursday morning.

Myint Swe became acting president on 1 February 2021 when the military seized power and arrested former President Win Myint and Myanmar's top leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

State media reported on Tuesday that he had been in crucial condition and receiving intensive care since July 24 at a military hospital in Naypyitaw.Also  they reported in July last year that Myint Swe was suffering from neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy disease, which left him unable to carry out normal daily activities, including eating. A few days later, he authorized Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, to assume his presidential duties while he was on medical leave, the reports said.

Myint Swe, a member of a pro-military party, assumed the presidency in accordance with the constitution because he had been serving as vice president. Legal experts questioned the legitimacy of the move as Win Myint had neither resigned from his post nor was incapacitated.(ILKHA)