NAYPYITAW: Myanmar's parliament has approved the creation of a new post for Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the country's newly installed ruling party, that is similar to a prime minister. Suu Kyi is banned by the constitution from becoming president because her children hold foreign citizenship.

The bill creating the position of state counsellor was opposed by the military's representatives in parliament, but passed easily because of the strong majority that Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won in last November's election. The bill must be signed by President Htin Kyaw, Suu Kyi's close ally, before taking effect.

Suu Kyi, who is already foreign minister, met Tuesday with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.