Musharraf Sets Date for Leaving Military

Bowing to pressure, Pakistani prez will stand down Wednesday
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 26, 2007 1:27 PM CST
Musharraf Sets Date for Leaving Military
Pakistan%u2019s opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, top left, distributes traditional sweets to her supporters as she arrives at city court to submit her nomination papers for parliamentary election, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007 in Larkana, Pakistan. Bhutto says a broad opposition coalition could still decide...   (Associated Press)

Pervez Musharraf will prepare to be sworn in for a new term as Pakistan’s president by relinquishing his military post, a spokesman said today. The general has pledged to resign as head of the military before Thursday’s ceremony, the BBC reports. Musharraf has vowed to leave the military before; this is the first time he's specified a timetable.

Pakistan is chafing under the emergency rule Musharraf declared Nov. 3, which has enraged the international community. Meanwhile, the return of Nawaz Sharif, whom Musharraf deposed in 1999, threatens to further erode the general’s waning support. Ashfaq Kiani, a prominent general and former head of the intelligence service, is to succeed Musharraf as army chief. (More Pervez Musharraf stories.)

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