Burma has been ruled by a repressive military junta for the last decade and a half, prompting economic stagnation and international condemnation. The junta has been led by three generals wielding almost absolute power. But in-fighting and a lack of transparency have generated regular rumours of power struggles at the top.

Than Shwe

Senior General Than Shwe, 71, is the head of the ruling junta and controls the army. He is the most hard-line leader, strongly opposed to allowing any political role for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

After working in the Burmese postal service, Than Shwe joined the army at the age of 20 and his career included a stint in the department of psychological warfare.

He has acted as Burma’s head of state since 1992, and was initially seen as more relaxed than his predecessor, General Saw Maung. Some political prisoners have been released, and human rights groups were allowed to visit Burma.

But he continues to suppress all dissent, and oversaw the re-arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2003.

He is said to be superstitious and to regularly seek the advice of astrologers.

Maung Aye

Maung Aye is also a career soldier and the second most powerful man in the country.

He is believed to have established strong ties with Burma’s many drug lords in the Golden Triangle while operating as a colonel in the late 1970s and 80s, before he joined the military leadership in 1993.

He has a reputation for ruthlessness and xenophobia, and is also staunchly opposed to allowing Aung San Suu Kyi any future role.

He is also rumoured to be a hard drinker.

Khin Nyunt

Khin Nyunt was appointed prime minister in 2003, responsible for the day to day running of the country, and also head of military intelligence.

According to diplomats and other sources inside the capital Rangoon, he was placed under house arrest on 19 October and accused of corruption, a frequent charge against those who have fallen from power.

Before his apparent ouster, diplomats regarded him as a pragmatist who saw the need for reform, and to engage the international community.

He announced a “roadmap” for democracy just five days after his appointment as premier. This has included a recommendation for talks between the junta and Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). But there has been little progress so far.