缅甸军队遣散42名未成年士兵

The Burmese military has released 42 child soldiers from its ranks, as part of efforts to end the recruitment of underage fighters in Burma.

The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper says army officials handed the children over to their parents and guardians at a ceremony in Rangoon on Monday.

The paper says Burmese officials have also vowed to rid the armed forces of all child soldiers within 18 months, in accordance with a United Nations agreement signed in June.