British Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed on Wednesday Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's resignation as army chief, saying it was an "important part of the process" towards restoring democracy.
"I welcome the decision by President Musharraf to step down formally as Chief of Pakistan's Army. This is an important part of the process that President Musharraf has told me he wants to take to rapidly restore constitutional order," Brown said in a statement.
"We understand the threat to Pakistan's peace and security. But I have urged President Musharraf to use the normal democratic processes to respond," said he.
"Meeting last week in Kampala Commonwealth leaders set out the conditions that must be fulfilled if Pakistan is to be restored to its rightful place in the Commonwealth. Most importantly, it is essential that preparations are now put in place for free and fair elections to be held in January, with a level playing field for all political parties," Brown added.
On Wednesday, Musharraf, who has been serving in military for 46 years, stepped down from his post of army chief on Wednesday and handed over the command to the Vice Chief of Army Staff.
Musharraf was born in 1943 and was admitted to the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961. He became an artillery officer in 1965 and was soon awarded a medal of bravery for fighting against India.
Musharraf overcame relatively humble roots to rise through the ranks, promoted to major general in 1991 and chief of army staff in 1998.
He came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and attained presidency in 2001, which was later sanctified in a 2002 referendum.
Re-elected in the Oct. 6 presidential poll with a majority and due to be sworn in for a five-year term on Nov. 29, Musharraf had pledged to shed his army uniform and take oath as a civilian president.
Source: Xinhua
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