Myanmar has elected its first civilian president after decades of military rule.

U Htin Kyaw, a close ally of Nobel laureate and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, won the legislature’s vote. Suu Kyi was barred from running herself by the country’s constitution — drafted by the former military leaders — because she has two foreign sons.

Htin Kyaw won 360 of the 652 votes cast by the two houses of parliament.

Source: Texas Public Radio