Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has handed over the command of the military in a ceremony in Rawalpindi.
Gen Musharraf passed a ceremonial baton to Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani at the army's headquarters.
In his farewell address, Gen Musharraf said the army was his "life" and he was proud to have been the commander of this "great force".
He had been under huge pressure to quit as army chief and is due to be sworn in as civilian president on Thursday.
Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto welcomed President Musharraf quitting his army post but said her party was in no hurry to accept him as a civilian leader.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said President Musharraf's stepping down was a good first step but called for a state of emergency to be lifted ahead of January elections.
Without this army, the entity of Pakistan cannot exist
President Musharraf
President Musharraf has led Pakistan's military for nine turbulent years. As a civilian leader he will have to work out a relationship with a new army chief and an elected prime minister.
Gen Musharraf passed a ceremonial baton to Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani at the army's headquarters.
In his farewell address, Gen Musharraf said the army was his "life" and he was proud to have been the commander of this "great force".
He had been under huge pressure to quit as army chief and is due to be sworn in as civilian president on Thursday.
Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto welcomed President Musharraf quitting his army post but said her party was in no hurry to accept him as a civilian leader.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said President Musharraf's stepping down was a good first step but called for a state of emergency to be lifted ahead of January elections.
Without this army, the entity of Pakistan cannot exist
President Musharraf
President Musharraf has led Pakistan's military for nine turbulent years. As a civilian leader he will have to work out a relationship with a new army chief and an elected prime minister.
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