I can be leader even if not president

Aung San Suu Kyi intends to lead a new Myanmar government if her party wins historic polls despite being barred from the presidency, she says in an interview broadcast yesterday.

"If the NLD wins the elections and we form a government, I'm going to be the leader of that government whether or not I'm the president," Suu Kyi told the India Today television channel.

"The leader of the NLD government will have to be me because I am the leader of my party," she said, refusing to elaborate on any possible arrangement.

The November 8 parliamentary elections are seen as a key test of democratic progress in Myanmar, which in 2011 emerged from a half-century of military rule.

The president is chosen by parliament, including military members, in a vote after the election and must cease party politics on taking up the post.

He or she is responsible for forming the government, including a cabinet, making key regional appointments and signing off on parliamentary legislation.

Suu Kyi told India Today her National League for Democracy (NLD) party would nominate a civilian member for the official role of president should it win next month, rather than endorsing a military candidate.