(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-29 14:20

WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush on Wednesday welcomed the resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as army Chief.

Pakistan's President and army chief Pervez Musharraf (L) passes the baton of command over to General Ashfaq Kayani during a ceremony at army headquarters in Rawalpindi November 28, 2007.[Xinhua]

In an interview with CNN television, Bush spoke highly of Musharraf, describing him as "an absolute reliable partner in dealing with extremists and radicals."

Musharraf resigned as army chief on Wednesday. Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani will take over as the new army chief.

"It is something that a lot of people doubted would ever happen. And he told me he would take off his uniform, and I appreciate that he kept his word," Bush said.

Bush also called on the Pakistani president to lift the state of emergency so as to pave the way for free and fair elections.

"In my judgement, in order to get Pakistan back on the road to democracy, he has got to suspend the emergency rule before elections," the US president said.

Musharraf came to power in 1999 and attained presidency in 2001, which was later sanctified in a 2002 referendum.

Re-elected in the October 6 presidential poll with a majority, Musharraf will be sworn in as a civilian president on Thursday.

The Pakistani president proclaimed a state of emergency in the country on November 3, holding the constitution in abeyance.

Local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported on Wednesday that Musharraf is likely to lift the state of emergency in 48 hours.