Pakistanis rejoice as Musharraf is finally forced out

President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan abandoned his struggle to cling to power yesterday.

He resigned his post to avoid impeachment, following months of pressure from political rivals.

The former special forces commando and military chief, who seized office nine turbulent years ago in a bloodless coup, has been a key ally of the West in the struggle against Islamist terrorism.

But he faced widespread unpopularity at home where he was blamed for trampling on his country's democratic constitution.

There was speculation last night that he may flee Pakistan for exile in the Middle East, amid calls for him to be charged with treason - which carries the death penalty.

In an emotional and defiant hourlong television broadcast, Musharraf defended his record, but added: 'I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes.'

There were scenes of celebration across the country as ordinary Pakistanis rejoiced at the departure of the man many blame for a rise in Islamic militancy and dire economic problems.

Political rivals claimed the 'shadow of dictatorship' had been lifted.

President George Bush and other Western leaders thanked Musharraf for his past support, but notably voiced no regret over his passing and emphasised that close co-operation with Pakistan would not be hampered.

As a Muslim power with nuclear weapons, whose territory includes lawless northern tribal areas on the Afghan border where Osama Bin Laden is thought to be in hiding, Pakistan remains a key partner for the West in the struggle against Islamist terrorism. Although Musharraf supported the War on Terror, his lack of democratic credentials had posed a dilemma for Western powers.

Jubilation: Pakistani lawyers celebrate the resignation of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, in Lahore

A poster of Musharraf burns during a rally in Multan today

It remains to be seen whether Islamabad will maintain a tough stance on extremism, or whether religious hard-liners will gain greater influence.

The Pakistani military is still struggling to control an insurgency in the north - which Musharraf's critics largely blamed on his own security crackdowns.

In the wake of the September 11 attacks seven years ago Musharraf aligned his country firmly with the West, earning plaudits and $10billion in aid.

But anger within Pakistan boosted Islamic militancy - leading to at least three assassination attempts between 2002 and 2003.

His increasingly heavy-handed efforts to cling to power finally destroyed his popularity.

Supporters of Pakistan People's Party prepare to shoot in the air to celebrate

Delight: Pakistani men clutch each other after the announcement

He gave himself sweeping powers to sack the Prime Minister and dissolve Parliament. Last year he dismissed dozens of independent-minded Supreme Court judges whom he feared would bar his re-election, before eventually declaring emergency rule.

His influence faded after he stepped down as head of the military last year, and since his political rivals won Parliamentary elections in February he has been sidelined, facing the humiliating threat of impeachment for gross misconduct of violating the constitution.

In his resignation speech yesterday he said he wanted to spare Pakistan from a dangerous power struggle, and insisted that all he had done 'was for the people and for the country'. Pakistan's stock market and currency rallied afterwards amid hopes of greater stability.

The question of a successor remains unclear, as the ruling coalition government has vowed to strip the presidency of many of the powers Musharraf seized.

Among the contenders for the job are main party leaders Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated in December.

The coalition government has vowed to continue the fight against violent militancy, particularly in the country's northern regions.

But while Pakistan's rival parties have united to oppose Musharraf, his departure threatens that unity and could prompt greater instability.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice voiced her 'deep gratitude' to Musharraf as a 'good ally', but said Washington supported the new government, and the former leader's future was an internal issue.

A Downing Street spokesman said UK-Pakistani relations had 'deepened' under President Musharraf, adding: 'We wish him well in the future.

'But relations between the UK and Pakistan don't depend on individuals and we support measures that promote strong democratic institutions which lead to greater stability, democracy and rule of law in Pakistan,' he said.