Nigeria's military ruler, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has told the armed forces to prepare to relinquish power for ever.

He said coup-making had ceased to be fashionable.

He was speaking only days before local elections are due to be held as part of the promised transition to civilian rule.

The BBC Lagos correspondent says the message behind the General's address was that Nigeria is no longer an international pariah, but could become isolated once more if the army intervenes again.

General Abubakar has also signed into law four decrees paving the way for the planned transition and guaranteeing the independence of the electoral commission.