YANGON: Myanmar's reformist president Thein Sein was on Friday recuperating at his private home in Yangon after feeling unwell, officials said, denying rumours of a more serious illness.

"He has a cold but he is well now," said an official at the presidential office who did not want to be named.

The 67-year-old former general, who has overseen dramatic political changes in the country formerly known as Burma since coming to power last year, has a heart condition and uses a pacemaker.

A second government official said Thein Sein had been for a "routine medical check-up in Yangon" on Thursday.

Thein Sein, a former junta premier, has surprised observers with reforms such as the release of hundreds of political prisoners and welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party back to mainstream politics.

On Thursday the United States eased investment sanctions on Myanmar and named the first US ambassador to the country in 22 years to reward the changes.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2012

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