In pictures: Musharraf hands over

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has quit as the country's army chief at a colourful ceremony in Rawalpindi.

He handed over a ceremonial baton to his hand-picked heir Gen Ashfaq Kayani, at the army's main headquarters.

Gen Musharraf then saluted his successor, describing him as "an excellent soldier".

In a speech to invited senior commanders and guests, Gen Musharraf said the army was his "life" and "passion".

He admitted he was "a little sad" to leave the army, where he had served for nearly five decades.

Many officers cheered Gen Musharraf during the handover ceremony that concluded with a farewell parade.

Gen Musharraf, who came to power in a 1999 coup, has been under growing pressure to end his military rule. He is due to be sworn in as civilian president on Thursday.

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