US vows support for Myanmar reforms

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday said Myanmar faced “significant challenges” in its democratic transition but pledged Washington’s support as the former pariah moves towards “benchmark” elections.

Washington’s top diplomat said he held “frank” discussions with Myanmar President Thein Sein on the sidelines of Southeast Asian meetings, warning that there was still “a lot of work to be done” as the country emerges from decades of military rule.