YANGON - Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Defense Services Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing has voiced support for the new government and the new parliament to ensure rule of law and achieve long-lasting peace in the country, the official media reported Monday.

Min Aung Hlaing made the pledge when he met with members of the Myanmar Media Council in Nay Pyi Yaw.

Media are indispensable for the nation particularly at a time when the nation is being built anew. The end of armed conflicts is of vital importance to peace and development, he said.

He urged media professionals to make the public aware of the democratic practice and stressed the need to report events in a positive manner.

The Myanmar Media Council was formed by 27 members on Nov 11, 2015 with U Khin Maung Lay as chairman.

The current term of the parliament and the government, produced through the 2010 general election and ran from 2011, will expire on Jan 30 and March 30 respectively when a new parliament and government will take office in accordance with the result of the Nov 8 general election in 2015.