But he did not say when the public would be allowed to see the final version of the proposed constitution, nor did he announce an exact date for a planned referendum to approve it.

'As the new constitution has already been drafted, it will be put to a national referendum in forthcoming May, and subsequently the multiparty general elections will follow in 2010 in line with the provisions of the constitution,' he said to 13,000 soldiers at a military parade in the new capital Naypyidaw.

Foreign journalists were denied visas to report on the event, which came six months after a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks.

The 74-year-old general said his military government did not 'crave for power', insisting on the junta's 'ultimate aim to hand over the state power to the people'.

Mr Than Shwe made the remarks in a 15-minute speech during a ceremony to mark Armed Forces Day, the most important holiday on the military's calendar.

The event took place in a remote military compound under a scorching sun at a parade ground lined with towering statues of ancient Burmese kings.

Despite concerns about his health, Mr Than Shwe appeared strong as he inspected the troops while riding in an open-topped limousine.

He stood on a open stage at a podium to deliver his speech, smiling and waving to foreign military attaches as he left.

The military chief made no mention of the deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests, which the United Nations estimates left 31 dead as security forces violently disrupted mass marches led by Buddhist monks.

But he repeated his oft-issued warning against the 'cunning tactics of separatism,' saying 'unscrupulous persons are consistently striving to disintegrate' the country.

Myanmar has suffered six decades of civil war, with ethnic minorities battling for autonomy in their regions.

Possible rebel attack
A senior military official told reporters on condition of anonymity that foreign journalists had been denied visas because of concerns that ethnic rebels would try to disrupt the Armed Forces Day ceremony.

Last month the regime surprised the world by announcing a timetable for elections, which western countries have criticised for failing to include detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar has had no constitution since 1988, when the current junta seized power by suppressing a pro-democracy uprising in a violent campaign believed to have left 3,000 dead. -- AFP