Pakistan's president says he will maintain his dual roles as president and army chief despite earlier pledges to leave his military post by the end of the year.
President Pervez Musharraf made the announcement Friday in an interview with a private Pakistani television network. He said he will formally address the nation regarding his decision soon, but gave no other details.
General Musharraf had promised to step down as army chief in exchange for constitutional changes legitimizing his leadership. The general has been president since a bloodless coup in 1999.
He insists that continuing in both posts will ensure stability, particularly as the government assists with the U.S. led war on terrorism. Last month lawmakers supported his position, approving a controversial bill allowing Mr. Musharraf to continue to hold both positions.
Some information for this report provided by AP, Reuters.
