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Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday took over as President of Pakistan, while retaining the posts of chief executive and chief of army staff.
Musharraf, 58, was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Irshad Hassan after incumbent Rafiq Tarar submitted his resignation.
The national assembly and provincial assemblies, which were suspended after the coup, have been dissolved. Musharraf's spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi described the move as part of a process to install a civilian government by 2002, as decreed by the supreme court.
Musharraf is the fourth military ruler to take charge as president in Pakistan.
Reports said Finance Minister Shoukat Aziz may take over as prime minister.
Observers see the general's sudden decision as a clever move to acquire constitutional legitimacy in the eyes of the world, ahead of his India visit next month.
PTI
EARLIER REPORTS Musharraf to be President of Pakistan
ALSO SEE: Check rhetoric, Musharraf tells Vajpayee The Complete Coverage: India-Pakistan Summit 2001
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