Musharraf Resigns To Avoid Impeachment

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf today announced in a national television address that he will resign. Musharraf has been under fire recently and in the address he gave a veiled attack on his political rivals say that some considered themselves more important than Pakistan and were trying to betray the country.

Musharraf has been a key US ally in fighting terrorism. However, even Washington is believed to have read him the riot act as his own intelligence service has been infiltrated by al Qaeda.

Musharraf became appointed himself President 20 June 2001 after deposing Pakistani Prime Minister in a bloodless coup 20 October 1999. At the end of November 2007 he stepped down from his role as head of the military to become a civilian President. Earlier this month, impeachment papers were filled against him in the Pakistani Parliament.