Downing Street tribute to Musharraf

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But Number 10 added that the country's relations with Britain were not reliant on Mr Musharraf.

"During President Musharraf's time in office we have seen a deepening of UK-Pakistan relations," a spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.

"We wish him well in the future. But relations between the UK and Pakistan don't depend on individuals and as we have made clear we support measures that promote strong democratic institutions which lead to greater stability, democracy and rule of law in Pakistan."

Mr Musharraf made an emotional televised speech announcing that he was stepping down to avoid an impeachment battle which would harm the nation's interests.

He is facing charges including violation of the constitution and gross misconduct, but said he was confident they would not stand against him.

After seizing power in a military coup in 1999, he improved relations with the West by supporting the war on terror, but his popularity at home has gradually deteriorated. This came to a head in 2007 when he sacked dozens of judges and imposed emergency rule.

His political rivals swept to power in February and have sought to remove him from office, announcing plans for his impeachment. Mr Musharraf initially resisted the calls to resign, but said today he would step down to allow the coalition government to tackle the many problems facing his country.

Conservative MP Stewart Jackson, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pakistan, welcomed the decision and urged the new government to focus on tackling Islamic terrorism.

"I think it is the right thing for him to have done," he said. "I think it in no way detracts from the strong record he has as being a staunch ally of the West and its fight against Islamic terrorism."