NAY PYI TAW - Myanmar's Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) on Monday nominated Min Aung Hlaing as a vice-presidential candidate, the state-run Myanmar Radio and Television reported.

The nomination is a preliminary step toward the country's presidential election. Under the constitution, the Union Parliament will eventually elect the president from among three vice-presidential candidates.

Also on Monday, military-owned Myawaddy TV reported that Ye Win Oo has been appointed Myanmar's commander-in-chief of defense services.

Ye Win Oo succeeded Min Aung Hlaing, who had served as the commander-in-chief of defense services since March 30, 2011.

The handover ceremony of the commander-in-chief of defense services was held with guards of honor at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday morning.