Musharraf to Give up Army Post This Week

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- There's word that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will take the oath of office for his next term Thursday as a civilian. An army spokesman says the general will step down as the head of Pakistan's military the day before he's sworn in as president.Removing Musharraf from the army post has been a key demand of his domestic and international critics. He has come under fire since implementing emergency rule in Pakistan earlier this month. Also today, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif registered as a candidate for Pakistan's crucial January parliamentary elections. He returned to the country yesterday after spending eight years in exile.Sharif is threatening to boycott the election unless Musharraf reinstates independent Supreme Court judges. He says he will not lead any government under Musharraf even if he does take part in the vote. Musharraf ousted Sharif in a 1999 military coup.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved