Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced Monday that he will resign, just days ahead of impeachment in parliament over attempts by the U.S.-backed leader to impose authoritarian rule on his turbulent nation.
An emotional Musharraf said he wanted to spare Pakistan from a dangerous power struggle.
"I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes," Musharraf said in a televised address largely devoted to defending his record.
Musharraf dominated Pakistan for years after seizing power in a 1999 military coup, making the country a key strategic ally of the U.S. by supporting the war on terror. But his popularity at home sank over the years.
But his influence has faded steadily over the past year. He quit the pivotal post of army chief in November and his resignation was widely forecast.
Washington and European capitals will hope his removal will let the civilian government focus on terrorism and the country's economic woes, though Musharraf's exit could also trigger a struggle to replace him.
There weren't "mistakes" made, you out and out drug your feet when it came to finding Osama Bin Laden and only switched to our side when you saw world opinion go against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda for what they've done.
You did it to save your own skin and then did everything in your power to try to keep the militants from getting captured or killed.
Now the rules have changed.
Travis
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