ISLAMABAD, Sept 17: President Gen Pervez Musharraf plans to quit as army chief to become a civilian leader, removing a key objection to his proposed re-election in October, a senior ruling party official said on Monday.

“We expect that after his re-election process next month, General Musharraf would take his oath of office as a civilian president before Nov 15,” Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, secretary-general of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, told Reuters.

Giving up the army role would undoubtedly dilute Musharraf’s power in a country that has been ruled by the military for more than half the 60 years since it was founded.

It will also be a wrench for a life-long soldier who described his uniform as a “second skin”, but aides say he has been reconciled to quitting the army for months.

Senator Syed said that Musharraf would abide by the Constitution and quit the army before the end of 2007.

Musharraf’s current term as president expires on Nov 15.

“Yes, I have no doubt that the president will keep his commitment,” said Syed, who recently met Musharraf. “He is clear on this issue.”—Reuters