Obama tells Myanmar: Remarkable journey has just begun

Yangon - United States President Barack Obama has pledged support for Myanmar's reforms, telling an audience of over 1,000 Myanmars in a historic address at Yangon University that "America will support you every step of the way".

He also struck a note of caution, saying in a democracy the armed forces and the judiciary must submit to civilian rule and civilian leaders must be fully accountable to the law.

"This remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go. Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation. The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished," he said.

In the first visit to Myanmar ever by a sitting US President, Mr Obama was greeted in the morning by hundreds of Myanmar schoolchildren lining the streets on his route, waving American and Myanmar flags.