The statement did not give any reason for Mr Kyaw's resignation, but according to BBC, there have been growing concerns about the 71-year-old's health in recent months. Mr Kyaw, who is a close aide of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, became the President in 2016 following landmark elections that saw the end of decades of military leadership in the country. 

Ms Suu Kyi was jailed for years under the military junta and is banned from the top job.