Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agreed Wednesday to step down as Chief of Army Staff by the end of 2004, resolving a row with an opposition Islamic alliance that had virtually paralyzed parliament. Musharraf called his decision “difficult.” “I realize that it’s time. I have decided that I will give up my uniform by December 2004 and will step down as Chief of Army Staff,” he said on state television. Speaking in Urdu and wearing military dress, Musharraf added: “These are all historic decisions. Nobody has won or lost because of these decisions. Democracy has won and the victory is Pakistan’s.” Musharraf made the decision as part of a deal with the opposition Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) — an alliance of six Islamic opposition parties — which have promised to abstain in a vote of confidence in the government expected early next year. Full Story
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