Will not breach promise: Mush

Claiming he is a "democrat by temperament", Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said he will not renege on his commitment to the Supreme Court to quit as Army Chief if re-elected for another term.

Musharraf, who said he believed in the norms of democracy with all of its decencies and freedom, vowed not to go back on the assurance to the court just as in 2004.

"There is a huge difference between 2004 and 2007. In 2004, there were compelling circumstances and no constitutional bar and, therefore, I had to continue with the two offices," Musharraf said at a reception organised by outgoing chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Pervez Ashfaq Kiani last night.

"However, the circumstances today are different and I have given a commitment to the Supreme Court that after my re-election, I will leave the office of the COAS and I shall abide by it," Musharraf was quoted as saying by "The News" daily.