The new parliament in Burma has convened for the first time since elections were held last November.

The poll was widely criticised by western governments and by democracy activists within Burma.

The first sitting of the bicameral national parliament brings into effect a new constitution and officially ends nearly 50 years of military rule.

But critics say the real power in Burma will still be in the hands of a few key generals.

A quarter of seats in parliament are reserved for serving members of the armed forces.

In Burma's remote jungle capital, Naypyitaw, newly-elected politicians and their newly-appointed military equivalents opened their session in a newly-built parliament at 0855 (0225 GMT), a time chosen for its auspiciousness.

The vast majority of the seats are occupied by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) which is backed by the current military government.

The USDP won almost 77% of the vote in November's election. Critics say this thumping majority was achieved partly through intimidation and fraud, and partly because the pro-democracy party led by Aung San Sui Kyi decided to boycott.

Although there are some independent politicians in parliament, the USDP's dominance, backed by the military caucus, appears to tilt it in favour of the status quo.

One of the first duties of the new parliament is to form an electoral college to nominate candidates for president and vice president.

Only then will it become clear who will hold the reigns of power in the new-look Burma.