Channel News Asia
YANGON: Myanmar's former military commander Tin Oo has called on the military to support Aung San Suu Kyi's bid to become the country's president in 2015.
Tin Oo is also the deputy leader for the opposition party, National League for Democracy.
He was speaking at Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday celebration.
Throngs of supporters gathered outside the National League for Democracy headquarters to catch a glimpse of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Many turned up hours earlier to convey birthday wishes as she turns 68.
Foreign dignitaries such as the US Ambassador to Myanmar, Derek Mitchell also joined in the celebrations.
Addressing her supporters, Aung San Suu Kyi expressed her birthday wish of seeing mutual respect among the Myanmar people.
She also called on the citizens to better understand each other and hopes that the rights of the people be respected.
As part of the celebration, she received a three-layered cake bearing two party flags.
Even though she will be 70 years old in the next general election, her party is confident that she will still be fit to carry out her duties and stand for presidency.
Nan Khin Htwe Myint, spokesperson for the National League for Democracy, said: "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is quite old but she looks young for her age. She can handle her busy schedule of activities like a 50-year-old even though she is over 60. The people have two wishes for her. One is that she will live a long life and the other is that she'll become the country's president in 2015."
From notepads to key chains, bearing the face of Aung San Suu Kyi, many wanted a piece of her as a keepsake.
This is only the second time that Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday is being celebrated publicly after she was released from house arrest.
- CNA/fa
