Pakistan’s President Musharraf Resigns

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says he is resigning to avoid an impeachment battle that would harm the nation’s interests.

Musharraf says he leaves knowing that whatever he has done “was for the people and for the country.”

Musharraf dominated Pakistan for years after seizing power in a 1999 military coup, making the country a key strategic ally of the U.S. by supporting the war on terror.

But his popularity at home sank over the years.

Many Pakistanis blame rising violence in their country on Musharraf’s alliance with the U.S. His reputation suffered blows in 2007 when he ousted dozens of judges and imposed emergency rule. His rivals won February parliamentary elections and have since sought his ouster.