Reuters

Islamabad, Sep 17:  Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf plans to quit as army chief to become a civilian leader, removing a key objection to his proposed re-election in October, a senior ruling party official said on Monday.   

"We expect that after his re-election process next month, God willing, General Musharraf would take his oath of office as a civilian president before Nov. 15," Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, secretary-general of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML), said.

US ally Musharraf has held the post of army chief since he seized power in a military coup in 1999, despite calls from the opposition to quit the dual office.   

His acquiescence could be seen as a victory for Benazir Bhutto, who has said that any power-sharing arrangement with Musharraf will depend, among other things, on him becoming a civilian president.   

Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party announced on Friday the two-time former prime minister will return to Pakistan on Oct. 18, ending more than eight years of self-exile.   

Giving up the army role would undoubtedly dilute Musharraf's power in a country that that has been ruled by generals for more than half the 60 years since it was founded. 

It will also be a wrench for a life-long soldier who described his uniform as a "second skin", but aides say Musharraf has been reconciled to quitting the army for months.   

Senator Sayed said that Musharraf would abide by the constitution and quit the army before the end of 2007. Musharraf's current term as president expires on Nov. 15.