11-28-2007, 09:12 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>President Musharraf hands over command as army chief</b> RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Nov 28 (Reuters) President Pervez Musharraf handed over the baton of army command to his successor General Ashfaq Kiyani Wednesday, ending eight years of military rule. He passed the cane at a ceremony of martial pomp at army headquarters in Rawalpindi, a day before he is due to swear a new oath of presidential office as a civilian. Many of the dignitaries and invited guests applauded as Musharraf picked up the baton from a wooden and brass stand and placed it in Kiyani's outstretched hands, in a ceremony broadcast live on television. âThe system continues, people come and go, everyone has to go, every good thing comes to an end, everything is mortal,â Musharraf told the top brass and government leaders at the change-of-command ceremony. (FirstPosted @ 11:05 PST, Updated@ 11:50 PST)
<b>White House welcomes Musharraf decision to quit military</b> WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters): The White House Wednesday welcomed a decision by President Pervez Musharraf to quit as army chief. âThe president certainly considers that to be a good step,â White House press secretary Dana Perino said. âPresident Musharraf followed through on his commitment to remove the uniform. It was significant for him.â But Perino repeated the White House's call for Musharraf to end emergency rule in Pakistan. (Posted @ 20:15 PST)
<b>General Kiyani takes over as COAS</b> ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (AFP) On Wednesday General Ashfaq Kiyani took over as Pakistanâs army chief. President Musharraf handed the baton of military command to Kiyani, his 55-year-old deputy, in a colourful ceremony on a parade ground at military headquarters in Rawalpindi. Musharraf paid rich tribute to him in a speech, saying he had known him for 20 years and adding: âI know his professional acumen. He is an excellent soldier.â Musharraf said he was âconfident that the army will remain loyal to him (Kiyani) as it has been with meâ. Kiyani is a former head of the Rawalpindi Corps. In 2004, Musharraf appointed him to lead the Inter-Services Intelligence agency. Kiyani joined the army in 1971 and commanded several infantry units, according to a military statement. He is a graduate of Fort Leavenworth military college in the United States.(Posted @ 12:00 PST)<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>White House welcomes Musharraf decision to quit military</b> WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters): The White House Wednesday welcomed a decision by President Pervez Musharraf to quit as army chief. âThe president certainly considers that to be a good step,â White House press secretary Dana Perino said. âPresident Musharraf followed through on his commitment to remove the uniform. It was significant for him.â But Perino repeated the White House's call for Musharraf to end emergency rule in Pakistan. (Posted @ 20:15 PST)
<b>General Kiyani takes over as COAS</b> ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (AFP) On Wednesday General Ashfaq Kiyani took over as Pakistanâs army chief. President Musharraf handed the baton of military command to Kiyani, his 55-year-old deputy, in a colourful ceremony on a parade ground at military headquarters in Rawalpindi. Musharraf paid rich tribute to him in a speech, saying he had known him for 20 years and adding: âI know his professional acumen. He is an excellent soldier.â Musharraf said he was âconfident that the army will remain loyal to him (Kiyani) as it has been with meâ. Kiyani is a former head of the Rawalpindi Corps. In 2004, Musharraf appointed him to lead the Inter-Services Intelligence agency. Kiyani joined the army in 1971 and commanded several infantry units, according to a military statement. He is a graduate of Fort Leavenworth military college in the United States.(Posted @ 12:00 PST)<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->