The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Yangon

Myanmar will hold a referendum on a new constitution in May, the ruling junta said Saturday, promising to then have multi-party elections in 2010.

The announcement on state television came amid mounting international pressure on Myanmar over its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in September, when the United Nations estimates at least 31 people were killed.

It also came nearly two decades after democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party comfortably won a nationwide vote which was then rejected by the military.

Last autumn's protests, led by Buddhist monks, were the biggest challenge to military rule in nearly 20 years.

"The referendum on the new constitution will be held in May 2008," said the government statement, read over state television. No exact date was announced.

"Multi-party democratic elections will be held in 2010, according to the new constitution," it added.

"It is suitable to change the military administration to a democratic, civil administrative system, as good fundamentals have been established," it said.

"The country's basic infrastructure has been built, although there is still more to do in striving for the welfare of the nation," it added.