Pakistani President Musharraf to cease military rule.

This is something to keep an eye on, considering Musharraf is practically a dictator friendly to the U.S., while a great many of his citizens are assuredly not.

The uniform is coming off, or at least Musharraf says so, according to the AP:

Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has agreed to step down as army chief, exiled Prime Minister Benazhir Bhutto said Wednesday, a move that would be a key step toward a power-sharing deal aimed at rescuing the U.S. ally's bid for another presidential term.

Bhutto, who is expected to return to her homeland and contest parliamentary elections due by January, also said corruption charges would be dropped against her and dozens of other politicians as part of ongoing negotiations to restore civilian rule.

Musharraf and Bhutto have been in talks for months about a pact that would protect the general's re-election bid from legal challenges and public disenchantment with military rule.

I suspect this power sharing arrangement, while seemingly good for democracy in Pakistan, will result in a less American-friendly Pakistan. Hopefully not.