Pakistani President quits in deal brokered with help of Saudi Arabia
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf on Monday announced that he was resigning from his post in light of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government.
Musharraf announced his decision in a 75-minute televised speech in which he flayed attempts to impeach him but said was avoiding confrontation to prevent instability. "No impeachment or charge-sheet can stand against me. But I think this is not the time for individual bravado-this is the time for serious thought. In the interest of the country, I have decided to resign," he said.
"The resignation will reach the National Assembly Speaker shortly," the 65-year-old former army chief said in an emotional internationally televised address.
On Sunday the coalition said it had drawn up impeachment charges and would lodge them in parliament this week. The charges reportedly included violation of the constitution and gross misconduct. Officials said that Musharraf's aides have been in talks with the coalition, brokered by Saudi Arabia, the United States and Britain, to allow him to quit in return for indemnity.
Sources told CNN-IBN that Musharraf is likely to go to the Saudi city of Jeddah as a state guest of the kingdom.