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Musharraf gives up army uniform Musharraf gives up army uniform
(20 minutes later)
President Pervez Musharraf has handed over the military command to Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiani in a ceremony at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.President Pervez Musharraf has handed over the military command to Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiani in a ceremony at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
In his farewell address, President Musharraf said the army was his life and he was proud to have been the commander of this "great force".In his farewell address, President Musharraf said the army was his life and he was proud to have been the commander of this "great force".
President Musharraf stood down as head of army, after coming under intense international and domestic pressure. Gen Musharraf stood down as head of the army after coming under intense international and domestic pressure.
He is due to be sworn in as a civilian president on Thursday. He is due to be sworn in as civilian president on Thursday.
The move will mean an end to eight years of military rule in Pakistan.The move will mean an end to eight years of military rule in Pakistan.
'Proud''Proud'
Dressed in his full military uniform, President Musharraf arrived at the ceremony with a baton under his left arm. Dressed in his full military uniform, Gen Musharraf arrived at the ceremony with a baton under his left arm.
On his arrival, he was greeted by Gen Kiani and proceeded immediately to inspect a guard of honour. On his arrival, he was greeted by Gen Kiani and inspected a guard of honour.
The colourful ceremony was shown live on PTV, Pakistan's national channel.The colourful ceremony was shown live on PTV, Pakistan's national channel.
Gen Musharraf's army seized power in a 1999 coupGen Musharraf's army seized power in a 1999 coup
"I'm proud to be leaving the army in an excellent condition," President Musharraf said in his address before handing over charge to Gen Kiani. "I'm proud to be leaving the army in an excellent condition," Gen Musharraf said in his address before handing over charge to Gen Kiani.
"He's an excellent soldier and I can say with full confidence that under his command, the armed forces will achieve great heights," he added. "He's an excellent soldier and I can say with full confidence that under his command, the armed forces will achieve great heights," Gen Musharraf said.
President Musharraf assured the people of Pakistan that "I may have taken off my uniform, but my heart and mind will always remain with you. I will always be thinking about you." He assured the people of Pakistan: "I may have taken off my uniform, but my heart and mind will always remain with you. I will always be thinking about you."
Gen Musharraf designated Gen Kiani, a former head of the intelligence services, as his successor as army head in October. Gen Musharraf designated Gen Kiani, a former head of the intelligence services, as his successor in October.
US pressureUS pressure
Decorated with medals and a green sash, and accompanied by a military band played martial tunes, he bid farewell to troops at the army headquarters on Tuesday. Decorated with medals and a green sash, and accompanied by a military band playing martial tunes, Gen Musharraf had bid farewell to troops at army headquarters on Tuesday.
The most serious pressure on the president to give up his uniform has come from the United States, his main international backer. The most serious pressure on the president to give up his uniform had come from the United States, his main international backer.
Washington has grown concerned in recent months at the army's inability to rein in pro-Taleban militants and by Gen Musharraf's growing unpopularity.Washington has grown concerned in recent months at the army's inability to rein in pro-Taleban militants and by Gen Musharraf's growing unpopularity.
As a civilian leader, President Musharraf would still have considerable powers, including the power to sack a civilian government. As a civilian leader, Gen Musharraf will still have considerable powers, including the ability to sack a civilian government.
He imposed emergency rule on 3 November in order, he said, to rein in the judiciary and deal with a growing threat from Islamist militants. He imposed emergency rule on 3 November in order, he said, to control an unruly judiciary and deal with the growing threat from Islamist militants.
General elections are to be held on 8 January, but President Musharraf has yet to say when the emergency will be lifted. General elections are to be held on 8 January, but Gen Musharraf has yet to say when the emergency will be lifted.