Musharraf steps down as head of Pakistan military

Rawalpindi: Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf has formally stepped down as head of the country's military.

Control of the armed forces was officially handed to General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani at a ceremony in the garrison town of Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

The hour-long ceremony was held on a field hockey ground
next to the military complex headquarters.

Hundreds of senior officers, politicians and other civilians watched from the stands as an unsmiling Musharraf, wearing a phalanx of medals and a green sash across his uniform,
reviewed the ranks to the strains of "Auld Lang Syne."

He told his troops: "(You) are the saviors of Pakistan," before passing a ceremonial baton to his successor.

"I'm proud of this army and I was lucky to have commanded
the world's best army, I will no longer command ... but my heart and my mind will always be with you."

Musharraf is now due to be sworn in as civilian president of the country on Thursday.

The move will end eight years of military rule in the country, which is still under a state of emergency.

Musharraf has repeatedly said that he would step down after being officially confirmed as Pakistan president.