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President Musharraf had promised to defeat those who tried to oust him, but before charges against him were due to be presented to parliament, he announced his resignation. SOUNDBITE, Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan President saying (Urdu): "After consultations with legal advisors, close political supporters and on their advice, in the interest of the nation and the country, I'm taking the decision of resigning from my office." The ruling coalition had prepared impeachment charges against Musharraf focusing on violation of the constitution and gross misconduct. Charges he'll now be able to avoid. The former army chief has seen his popularity decline since last year when he tried to oust the country's chief justice. Then in November he imposed a state of emergency to force his re-election to another five-year term through the Supreme Court, but his political allies were trounced at the February polls. Pervez Musharraf seized power as Pakistan's army chief in a coup in 1999. He promised to bring true democracy, law and order, as well as economic revival to the country. Despite what could be described as a turbulent presidency, Musharraf said there was now law and order in the country, that human rights and democracy had been improved and that Pakistan was now a crucial country internationally. The question now for Pakistan is who will take over as president? It's likely a new leader will not have the same power as Musharraf who in his former role as army chief and president was able to almost single-handedly run Pakistan and control his hand-picked prime minister. Liz Kennedy, Reuters