 President General Pervez Musharraf said he would step down as army chief after a Supreme Court ruling on the validity of his re-election, which he said was expected by the end of November.
| But wasn't he going to step down... Oh, never mind. |
Speaking with The Associated Press, he said he would then begin a new presidential term as a civilian, warning that the country risks chaos if he gave into opposition demands to resign. He said he had originally planned to quit as army chief by Thursday, when his presidential mandate expires, but was forced to delay until a court ruling on his re-election. “All those who are blunt enough to tell me to my face what the reality is, all of them think, yes, it will lead the country to chaos if I do not handle the political environment now with me remaining as the president,” he said.
The president said he does not believe Al Qaeda has rebuilt in Pakistan, adding that the army remains absolutely loyal to him.
| "I'd bet my life on it. In fact, I do." |
He accused former premier Benazir Bhutto of fueling political turmoil, and rejected Western pressure to lift emergency rule. He also dismissed a threat from the Commonwealth to suspend Pakistan unless the emergency is lifted by November 22. “I take decisions in Pakistan’s interest and I don’t take ultimatums from anyone,” he said.
| "Nobuddy tells Perv what to do!" |
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