Aung San's image now on Myanmar banknotes

New banknotes bearing the image of independence hero Aung San went on release in Myanmar, on Tuesday, and long lines formed outside bank branches as customers queued to get them.

The soldier-turned-statesman's picture first appeared on the currency in 1958 but was phased out by the military junta after 1988, following anti-military protests led by his daughter – now the country's leader – Aung San Suu Kyi.

He was replaced by pictures of animals and buildings.

In Yangon, some of the first recipients of the new 1,000 kyat (0.68 US dollar) notes  posed with them for the media's cameras or kissed them extravagantly.

"I was very happy when I saw his picture. I remembered the time he led our independence. Now his picture is back on the currency. I am extremely happy," said 68-year-old Sai Maung, proudly displaying his clutch of blue banknotes.

Aung San was a soldier and revolutionary who led Myanmar – then called Burma – to independence from British colonial rule but was assassinated along with members of his cabinet in 1947, six months before the formal handover of power.

He is still widely revered in the country, though some ethnic minorities in the widely diverse country have expressed concern that his image is increasingly being used to marginalize them and promote the interests of the Burman majority.