Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in a televised speech to the nation.
"For the sake of the nation, today I have decided to resign from my post. My resignation will reach the speaker of parliament house. I don't want anything from anybody. I leave my future in the hands of the nation and the people. Let them be the judge, and let them do justice."
In his address, Musharraf rejected allegations against him by the ruling coalition.
The president said none of the charges against him could stand, and that he has the right to defend himself in the face of impeachment. He stressed that the politics of confrontation must come to an end, in favor of a policy of reconciliation. (Www.hxen.com)
Pakistan's ruling coalition parties announced on August 7 that they would launch impeachment proceedings against the president. Speculation about Musharraf's resignation has mounted since then.
Musharraf did not discuss the "safe exit" after his resignation. But earlier reports said that Musharraf and the ruling coalition have held talks about whether he will stay in Pakistan or go into exile abroad after leaving office.
