Burma dam: Work halted on divisive Myitsone project

Burma's president has suspended construction of a controversial Chinese-backed hydroelectric dam.

In a letter read out in parliament on Friday, Thein Sein said the $3.6bn (£2.3bn) Myitsone dam was contrary to the will of the people and lawmakers.

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi recently joined the anti-dam campaign.

The suspension is being seen as a rare victory for social and political campaigners, says the BBC's Rachel Harvey in Bangkok.

It appears to be further evidence of the new leadership's desire to seek legitimacy by being more open to public opinion since the army nominally handed over power to a civilian authority in March.   Read More

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