Myanmar's Ruling Party Admits Election Defeat

The chairman of Myanmar's ruling party has conceded defeat in the country's first free general election in 25 years.

The leader of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, Htay Oo, told Reuters: "We lost...we do accept the results without any reservations."

His comments came as the first 12 seats were all declared for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

An NLD spokesman said the party was on course to secure more than 90% of seats in the densely populated central region and more than 65% in the states of Mon and Kayin outside the central area.
Results from the five other states were not yet known but the party appeared to be heading for more than 70% of parliamentary seats - enough to form a government, he said.