YANGON — President U Htin Kyaw has resigned from his position after less than two years in office.

The unsigned notice, which was posted to Facebook by the President’s Office, said Htin Kyaw resigned on March 21 because he wanted to “take a rest”.

The notice said a replacement would be in place within seven working days. Rumours of Htin Kyaw’s impending resignation have been widespread for almost a year but government and National League for Democracy party officials have consistently denied them.

The government has, however, confirmed that Htin Kyaw sought medical treatment abroad on several occasions, most recently in January when he travelled to Singapore.

Under the constitution, Vice President U Myint Swe will serve as acting president until the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Myanmar’s national parliament, selects a replacement.

The constitution states that the acting president is required to “promptly intimate the Head of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to fill the vacancy within seven days”.

Because Htin Kyaw was nominated by the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house) for the presidency, its lawmakers will choose a replacement, after which all lower and upper house lawmakers will vote again for a president from the lower house nominee and the two existing vice presidents, Myint Swe and U Henry Van Thio.

Myint Swe was nominated for the presidency by the military while Henry Van Thio was nominated by the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house).