Facebook yesterday banned Myanmar's army chief and other top military brass after a UN investigation recommended they face prosecution for genocide for a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims.

Myanmar's army chief has urged the country to unite over the "issue" of the Rohingya, a Muslim group he says has no roots in the country, and which his troops are accused of systematically purging.

One of Soe Win's key priorities will be to make sure the army maintains its prominent role in the country's politics, including protecting the 25 percent quota of seats the army automatically has in the parliament, under the 2008 constitution.