Myanmar's defence minister and other top generals resigned their junta and military posts Friday to contest the upcoming polls as civilians, officials said, according to dpa. General Thura Shwe Mann, the current defence minister, has retired from both his ministerial and army posts to join the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDA), the political wing of the military regime. General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, the first secretary of the junta, has also resigned and joined the USDA to contest the November 7 general election, officials close to the military said. A further 10 lieutenant generals have resigned, although it was unclear whether they would all contest the election or be given new posts.
