Musharraf to quit army 'this week'

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNN

By CNN's Zein Basravi

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, under pressure to end a state of emergency that critics say he is using to keep his grip on power, is to quit as army chief and take an oath of office for a third presidential term on Thursday.

The announcement came as former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, ousted but Musharraf in a 1999 coup and banished to Saudi Arabia, returned to the country to register for forthcoming elections, ruling out an alliance with the president.

Presidential spokesman Brig. Gen. Rashid Quershi told CNN that the date for Musharraf's army exit was set Monday after the federal government approved an October parliamentary vote that handed him another five years in power.

The vote had faced a legal challenge because Musharraf's army role was seen as unconstitutional. He has been accused of using the emergency, to purge Pakistan's judiciary of opponents to ensure the vote met with full approval.

Musharraf has repeatedly tried to assuage critics, both home and abroad, by pledging to stand down as army chief, but there were fars that he would renege on the promise as he has done in the past.

Qureshi said Musharraf will make farewell visits to the army, air force and navy headquarters on Tuesday and Wednesday before standing down the next day....

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/26/pakistan.sharif/index.html

[arcos]

1. I thought he was quiting last Saturday... it's been what, a 60 day week? nt

[marmar]

2. You mean he'll "take off his uniform?" ......

If I hear Bush or Perino or anybody else from that administration utter that phrase again, I will scream.

[TheLeftyMom]

6. Isn't his position the same as Chimpy's though?

Head of the military = Commander in chief? I think he's a evil man but how can Bush require him to not lead their military when Bush rules ours and runs it into the ground? I don't understand it.

[chelsea0011]

3. Everything is now in place for him to still have total control no matter what uniform he wears.

[rockybelt]

4. Uniform Shmuniform

Makes no difference if he wears a freaking uniform. He is still a despot. Plain and simple.

I think Bush is watching the situation very carefully though. Not to try to correct anything over there, mind you. He is paying close attention as if in a class room.

Be very wary of the lunatic. He does not have your best interests at heart.

[boricua79]

5. that will do nothing

He will still control the military though the loyalty of former underlings. He will still have the power to change the military leadership. And in the sleight of hand trick, he'll win himself more years as leader of the country.

[cliss]

7. Hmmmmm...

That's what I heard last week.

[gasperc]

8. but will it be 'this year'

it's all relative will that asshole

[varun]

9. He's already stacked the Pakistan Supreme Court

in his favor.

They will "Select" him - just like Dubya in 2000.

[entanglement]

10. He quit yesterday, it seems - wonder what his handlers told him

[tom_paine]

11. He'll be there is a minute, just as soon as he's done killing a few more dissidents

Can you keep dinner warm for just a couple minutes longer?