Nay Pyi Taw, Jan 12 (IANS): Myanmar President U Thein Sein here Monday met some leaders of the country's political parties for discussions on major domestic issues concerning peace and development.

The meeting, attended by representatives from the government, parliament, the military, the Union Election Commission and political parties, focussed on democratic reform, peace process, commencement of national reconsolidation-based dialogue, the 2015 general election and peaceful transition, Xinhua news agency reported.

Participants included speakers of the two houses of parliament, U Shwe Mann and U Khin Aung Myint, defence chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the Union Election Commission U Tin Aye, vice-chairman of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party U Htay Oo, and chairperson of the opposition National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as representatives of ethnic parties and regional ethnic affairs ministers.

The meeting is a follow-up to the five-party talks that took place Oct 31, last year, involving the government, parliament, political parties, the military and the Union Election Commission, which ended without any specific outcome.

In another meeting with representatives of 12 ethnic armed groups in Nay Pyi Taw earlier this month, U Thein Sein expressed hope that a nationwide ceasefire accord could be signed Feb 12, Myanmar's Union Day, after the draft nationwide ceasefire accord is finalised.

Peace negotiators of the Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups are yet to hold their seventh round of formal talks to finalise the draft nationwide ceasefire.