Myanmar lawmakers gather for opening of parliament

YANGON, Myanmar – Lawmakers in military-dominated Myanmar are gathering for the opening of the country's first parliamentary session in 22 years.

The state-run New Light of Myanmar reported Thursday that the legislators will be sworn in on Monday in a massive new building constructed after the capital was moved from Yangon to Naypyitaw in 2005.

Critics decried November's elections — the first in 20 years — as a sham meant to provide cover for military rule.

Parliament last met in 1988 before a military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations installed the current junta.

A 1990 election was won by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's party, but the army would not let it take power. Her party declined to contest last year's polls, saying they were being held under unfair conditions.