Musharraf quitting?

I'll believe it when I see it, but Pervez Musharraf is claiming that he'll resign from the army if reelected as Pakistan's president. It's bothersome that one of our closest allies in the fight against al Qaeda is a military dictator so I would definitely welcome a return to democratic, civilian leadership and away from the current situation.

Lawyer: Musharraf to quit army if re-elected
MSNBC

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf will give up his post of army chief if he is re-elected president and will be sworn in for a new term as a civilian, his lawyer told the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The promise to stand down as army chief removes a major objection to Musharraf's proposed re-election by October 15, but legal challenges abound.

U.S. ally Musharraf retained his army post after he seized power in a 1999 coup despite opposition calls to quit.

"If elected for a second term as president, General Pervez Musharraf shall relinquish charge of office of chief of army staff soon after election and before taking oath of office," Musharraf's chief lawyer, Sharifuddin Pirzada, told the Supreme Court during a hearing into challenges against Musharraf's rule.

The date of a presidential election is expected to be announced this week; parliamentary elections are due by mid-January. Pakistan's main stock index reacted positively, gaining about 1.5 percent by noon (0700 GMT).