Myanmar's parliament has elected a close friend and confidant of Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as president, as expected.
The historic move makes Htin Kyaw the first civilian head of state since the 1960s.
Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy, or NLD, to a landslide election win in Myanmar, also known as Burma, more than four months ago.
However, a constitution drafted by the former military leaders bans her from the top office.
Ms Suu Kyi has promised to run the country anyway through a proxy, President Htin Kyaw, after the NLD nominated him for the role.
Like Ms Suu Kyi, Htin Kyaw was educated in Britain.
But unlike her, he is not a politican.
He runs a charity founded by Ms Suu Kyi and has been a trusted member of her inner circle since the mid-1990s.
And Htin Kyaw used his victory speech to thank the pro-democracy icon.
(Translated)"This is the compassion and love of the people. This is a victory for the people of this country. This is also the victory of Aung San Suu Kyi."
Fellow politicians have welcomed the appointment.
(First:)"As the president of Burma, he needs to lead the nation, the state. So we believe he will represent what people need." (Second:) "The right man in the right place."
Outgoing president Thein Sein has issued a statement congratulating the man who will replace him on April 1.
Australia's foreign minister has also welcomed the announcement.
In a statement, Julie Bishop says Australia will continue to work with Myanmar to support its ongoing development and reform for the benefit of all the people of Myanmar.
And in the United States, State Department spokesman John Kirby has added his country's congratulations.
"This is another important step forward in Burma's democratic transition. The formation of a democratically elected, civilian-led government and the peaceful transfer of power mark an extraordinary moment in this country's history. We look forward to cooperating with the new government as it works to make progress on a wide range of issues, including further democratic reforms, promotion of human rights, economic development and national reconciliation."
But the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, says, despite the celebrations, there is no time for complacency.
Ms Lee says Myanmar has many laws that are out of line with its international obligations.
And she has added the change in government offers an opportunity for Myanmar to protect the rights of its persecuted Muslim minority, the Rohingya.
"The arrival of this new government is an opportunity to break the tragic status quo situation of the Rakhine state. I am fully aware of the complexity of the issues at stake and the severe underdevelopment affecting both communities in this state. But development efforts alone will not be enough. Concrete actions must be taken rapidly to address the structural dimensions that lead to the serious human rights concerns on the ground."
The NLD has expressed concern, though, over the military's choice of Myint Swe as one of the vice presidents under Htin Kyaw.
Mint Swe served the military government as head of the feared military intelligence and is on the US sanctions list.
Share
