ANGRY PUBLIC: A supporter of Ms Bhutto being arrested in Karachi yesterday as protests continued despite Gen Musharraf's promise to hold elections and step down as army chief. -- REUTERS

Giving a news conference for the first time since imposing martial law nine days ago, he declined to give a date for the end of the emergency decree or state when he would step down as military chief.

He defended the emergency decree, saying it was needed to fight terrorism and would 'ensure absolutely fair and transparent elections'.

The President had sparked international outrage by throwing the planned elections into doubt when he suspended the Constitution last week and said the polls would be held in mid-February.

On Saturday, US President George W. Bush said he was the best president for Pakistan, but said he expected General Musharraf to quit the army, become a civilian leader and hold polls.

Yesterday, the general said he would quit the army and be sworn in as a civilian president once the Supreme Court strikes down challenges against his Oct 6 re-election.

'The moment it gives a decision...I should take an oath of office as civilian president of Pakistan. I hope that happens as soon as possible,' he said.

His opponents charged that he should have been disqualified for contesting the vote as army chief. But the endorsement of his win is regarded by many as a formality after he replaced the Supreme Court's independent-minded judges following the declaration of martial law.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has given the President until Thursday to quit as army chief and end the emergency rule. Tomorrow, she will lead a 'long march' spread over 500km from Lahore to Islamabad against his rule.

Gen Musharraf was dismissive of her, and told the media that a caretaker government would be established as soon as the National Assembly is dissolved on Nov 15 and the provincial assemblies on Nov 20.

Elections, he said, would be held on a single day, by Jan 9, and details would be worked out by the Election Commission.

But opposition parties said Gen Musharraf's sweeping powers, and the fact that public gatherings are illegal under the emergency, would only make a mockery of the democratic process.

Addressing the media, the President described the decision to declare a state of emergency as 'one of the most difficult decisions of my life'.

He said he was forced to act to save Pakistan from governmental paralysis caused by interference by the Chief Justice, adding that it was done in the 'national interest', to 'preserve this nation, to safeguard it'.

At the time martial law was declared, he had said it was necessary to help fight the growing threat posed by Taleban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

But the main targets of his crackdown have been his most outspoken critics, who claim the move is an attempt to maintain his grip on power. Thousands of people have been arrested, and all but state-run TV news have been taken off the air.

Referring to detained opposition members, he said yesterday: 'I would expect that all of them to get released and participate in the elections, and they will be free to do electioneering.'

However, he said they would not be allowed to 'disturb law and order' and create anarchy in the name of democracy.

He also made clear that a power-sharing deal he is believed to have been working on with Ms Bhutto was now firmly off the agenda.

'There is no decision or understanding that she is the next PM of Pakistan. Her popularity has been affected by her recent statements. We do not have any understanding with her,' he said.

The army ruler also accused fired top judge Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry of corruption and having caused 'turmoil' by 'paralysing the government and humiliating' law enforcement officials.

And he ruled out any chance of judges who had been sacked for refusing to endorse the state of emergency being reinstated.

'They are gone,' he said.

kamalhaq.siddiqi@gmail.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS, BLOOMBERG, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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