The commanders mostly traded places in several areas of the country in the past week in what was described as a routine reshuffle.

"Regional military commanders have tremendous power, so I think they have been shuffled around because the SPDC (the ruling State Peace and Development Council) did not want them to be in the same place for too long," the source told AFP.

The changes were not expected to be publicly announced, the source said.

The moves include Brigadier General Khin Zaw of Triangle command shifting to central command in Mandalay, central's Brigadier General Ye Myint moving to eastern command in southern Shan state, and Major General Soe Naing of southeast and Brigadier General Thura Myint Maung of southwest commands changing places.

"I don't think it will have any affect on the political situation in the country," the source said.

Yangon commander Major General Myint Swe retained his post despite a series of unprecedented bombings that killed at least 19 people in the capital this month.

Analysts said they do not expect Myint Swe, who is also head of Myanmar's military security affairs, to be transferred.

Khin Nyunt, who led the powerful Military Intelligence for two decades, was deposed last year and placed under house arrest. The military intelligence unit was dismantled and some 300 people linked to it and the former premier have been arrested.

Secret courts last month handed down stiff sentences to about 40 of the 300, legal sources have said.

Khin Nyunt, who faces charges including high treason, abuse of power and graft, has not yet faced trial.

He had favored limited dialogue with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate who was detained by authorities two years ago Monday. She remains under house arrest.

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