Thein Sein to make first US trip as president to attend UN meeting

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar (AFP) - Myanmar leader Thein Sein is to visit the United States (US) for the first time as president of the fast-reforming nation, officials said on Wednesday, after Washington waived visa restrictions.

Mr Thein Sein, who has ushered in a period of sweeping change for Myanmar since nearly half a century of military rule ended last year, will travel to the US to attend a United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

"The president will visit the UN and US for three days," a Myanmar official told AFP, adding that the Myanmar leader is set to leave for the US on Sept 24.

US President Barack Obama last month ordered an exception to a visa ban on Myanmar's leaders to let Mr Thein Sein travel freely during the UN summit.