Obama 'optimistic' about Myanmar's political transition process

United States President Barack Obama said during a visit to Myanmar that he is "optimistic" about the country's political transition process but stressed that "change is hard".

According to the BBC, Obama's comments came after a night-time meeting with Myanmar's President Thein Sein.

He had accused the government on Wednesday of backsliding on reforms.

Obama also said that the democratic process in Myanmar is real following an hour long meeting with Sein.

Myanmar held elections in 2010 which replaced military rule with the military backed civilian government of Thein Sein.