Pakistan's Musharraf to stay as army chief

Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf has declared that he will retain the office of Chief of the Army Staff as mandated by the parliament for continuity of national policies.

He also appealed to the opposition to accept verdict of the majority in the interest of sustainable democracy and development.

Addressing the nation over radio and television on Thursday night, Musharraf said the country's two top-most democratic institutions, the Senate and the National Assembly, had passed the bill that he should continue to hold two offices as president and army chief through 2007.

He added that the constitution permitted him to keep both offices and he would not violate it.

He underlined the importance of continuity of internal and external policies, forward movement in dialogue with India for the solution of the Kashmir issue, dealing with extremism and terrorism, security and safeguarding of vital national interests and harmony among political, bureaucracy and military institutions.

Source: Xinhua/CRIENGLISH.com