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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf vowed Wednesday not to quit until the country's political turmoil was over, strongly defending his decision to impose a state of emergency.
In an interview with Britain's Sky News television, he reiterated general elections promised by January 9 would be held under emergency rule.
"The day when there is no turmoil in Pakistan, I will step down," he said. "I am not a dictator, I want a democracy."
In brief excerpts released by Sky on its website, Musharraf admitted the political situation was not going well and called for unity. "Leave the past behind. The country must work together for the best of Pakistan."
Musharraf imposed emergency rule on November 3 citing Islamic militancy and an interfering judiciary, and has said several times since that he took the decision in the best interests of the country.
The military ruler, who grabbed power in a coup in 1999, is under mounting domestic and international pressure to end the emergency, quit as army chief, restore the constitution and allow free and fair elections.
He had already indicated Sunday that emergency rule would remain in place until the vote in order to ensure it could go ahead safely. - AFP/ir
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