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Musharraf to quit army 'in days' Musharraf to quit army 'in days'
(10 minutes later)
President Pervez Musharraf will be sworn in for another term of office on Thursday, his spokesman Rashid Qureshi has told the BBC.President Pervez Musharraf will be sworn in for another term of office on Thursday, his spokesman Rashid Qureshi has told the BBC.
The spokesman told the BBC Urdu service that Gen Musharraf would resign as head of the army before taking the presidential oath of office.The spokesman told the BBC Urdu service that Gen Musharraf would resign as head of the army before taking the presidential oath of office.
President Musharraf has been under intense international and domestic pressure to give up his military role.President Musharraf has been under intense international and domestic pressure to give up his military role.
He seized power in a coup in 1999, deposing a civilian government.He seized power in a coup in 1999, deposing a civilian government.
Gen Musharraf's main international backer, the United States, has grown concerned in recent months at the army's inability to rein in pro-Taleban militants and by Gen Musharraf's growing unpopularity.Gen Musharraf's main international backer, the United States, has grown concerned in recent months at the army's inability to rein in pro-Taleban militants and by Gen Musharraf's growing unpopularity.
It had been backing talks between President Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who heads the country's largest political party, for a power-sharing deal.It had been backing talks between President Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who heads the country's largest political party, for a power-sharing deal.
But in recent days Ms Bhutto has said that she could not work with Gen Musharraf.But in recent days Ms Bhutto has said that she could not work with Gen Musharraf.
Options openOptions open
Gen Musharraf's spokesman did not clarify whether he would resign from his army post on Thursday or before that. "It is very clear that Musharraf will take the oath as president on Thursday," Gen Qureshi told the BBC Urdu service.
"Before that he will hand over his army post to Gen Pervez Kiani."
Gen Musharraf designated Lt Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiani, a former head of the intelligence services, as his successor as army head in October.
The spokesman did not clarify if Gen Musharraf would resign from his army post on Thursday or before that.
Nawaz Sharif returned from exile on SundayNawaz Sharif returned from exile on Sunday
As a civilian president, Mr Musharraf would still have considerable powers, including the power to sack a civilian government.As a civilian president, Mr Musharraf would still have considerable powers, including the power to sack a civilian government.
He would still be commander-in-chief of the armed forces.He would still be commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
In October he designated a former head of the intelligence services, Lt Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiani, as his successor as army head.
The man he toppled in the coup, Nawaz Sharif, returned to Pakistan after years of exile on Sunday.The man he toppled in the coup, Nawaz Sharif, returned to Pakistan after years of exile on Sunday.
Mr Sharif and Benazir Bhutto have each served two terms as prime minister. Under current law that would bar them from being prime minister for a third term.Mr Sharif and Benazir Bhutto have each served two terms as prime minister. Under current law that would bar them from being prime minister for a third term.
Both leaders have now filed nomination papers to contest parliamentary elections due in January.Both leaders have now filed nomination papers to contest parliamentary elections due in January.
But both are holding onto the option of boycotting the options if they deem that they will not be free and fair.But both are holding onto the option of boycotting the options if they deem that they will not be free and fair.
Gen Musharraf imposed emergency rule on 3 November in order, he said, to rein in the judiciary and deal with a growing threat from Islamist militants.Gen Musharraf imposed emergency rule on 3 November in order, he said, to rein in the judiciary and deal with a growing threat from Islamist militants.
Thousands of political opponents were arrested, TV and radio news was banned and judges seen to be a threat to the government were sacked.Thousands of political opponents were arrested, TV and radio news was banned and judges seen to be a threat to the government were sacked.