Musharraf : I Will Resign

Embattled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced today in a televised address that he's resigning, reports the New York Times. He said charges that he violated the country's constitution were false, but he will step down for the sake of Pakistan. “Whether I win or lose the impeachment, the nation will lose,” he said. It was unclear who the next president is likely to be, but the loss of a long-time ally is making Washington uneasy.

Pakistan's new civilian government announced earlier this month that it was moving to impeach Musharraf for illegally declaring a state of emergency last year and firing 60 judges. Musharraf today defended his record and blasted his accusers as "self-interested." Sources had told Newsweek that Musharraf was planning to flee to Saudi Arabia. He sought immunity in exchange for his resignation, but it's unclear if an agreement was reached.
(More Pakistan stories.)