US President Barack Obama called Myanmar President Thein Sein yesterday to congratulate him on successfully staging a historic general election in which democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi trounced the ruling camp.

Mr Obama also called Ms Suu Kyi and her Opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which has won about 80 per cent of the seats declared so far in the lower house, to commend them for their success, which puts her on course to form the new Cabinet. NLD is also well ahead in the upper house and regional assemblies.

If the full results confirm the trend, Ms Suu Kyi’s triumph will sweep out an old guard of former generals that has run Myanmar.

Leaders discuss importance for all parties to respect official results

“The two leaders discussed the importance for all parties to respect the official results once announced and to work together with a spirit of unity to form an inclusive, representative government that reflects the will of the people,” the White House said in a statement following Mr Obama’s call with Thein Sein.

Thein Sein’s presidential spokesman and Information Minister Ye Htut said on his Facebook page: “He said America would continue cooperating with the Myanmar government.”

Mr Obama has visited Myanmar twice over the past three years, hoping to make its transition to democracy a foreign policy legacy of his presidency.

On his call with Ms Suu Kyi, Mr Obama “commended her for her tireless efforts and sacrifice over so many years to promote a more inclusive, peaceful, and democratic Burma.”

Thein Sein and the powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing have endorsed Ms Suu Kyi’s victory, congratulating her on winning a majority of seats in the first free election in 25 years.

The two reiterated their commitment to respect the result and agreed to Ms Suu Kyi’s request to hold reconciliation talks soon, although the parties are still to agree on the details.