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Pakistan Military Denies President Musharraf About to Quit


Pakistan's military has denied President Pervez Musharraf is about to quit.

The military - and a spokesman for Mr. Musharraf - both denied a resignation is imminent. A Pakistani newspaper fanned speculation Mr. Musharraf was about to quit with an article about a late-night meeting Wednesday between the president and a top general.

The rumors caused Pakistan's financial markets to dip to a 13-month low.

The military says the meeting had been arranged to discuss routine matters and that it regretted the meeting had been sensationalized by some in the media.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's military says the head of an elite army unit, Brigadier Asim Bajwa, has been transferred from his post, as part of a routine matter.

In a statement released Thursday, the military also denied media speculation that commandos assigned to President Musharraf for security were being replaced.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Wednesday the ruling coalition has agreed to remove President Musharraf from power.

Also Thursday, the detained atomic scientist known as the father of Pakistan's nuclear program sharply criticized President Musharraf, saying the country has "gone to the dogs."

In an interview with Pakistan's Dawn News Television, Abdul Qadeer Khan blamed the president for the country's economic troubles.

Khan has been under house arrest in Islamabad since 2004, after he admitted to passing nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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