ISLAMABAD – – Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf resigned on Monday, bringing down the curtain on nine turbulent years of US-backed rule to avoid the first impeachment in the nuclear-armed nation’s history. The former army chief, who seized power in a 1999 coup, announced the move in a lengthy televised address . He rejected the charges against him but said he wanted to spare Pakistan a damaging battle with the ruling coalition. ‘After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign,’ Musharraf , wearing a sober suit and tie, said near the end of his one-hour address. ‘I leave my future in the hands of the people.’ Celebrations erupted across the country after Musharraf bowed out, yet it was far from certain what would come next for a nation whose role in the ‘war on terror’ has been increasingly questioned by Washington. The White House said US President George W. Bush thanked Musharraf for his commitment against extremism and he would keep working with Pakistan’s government. Musharraf’s decision to quit came after the coalition said it was ready to press ahead with impeachment as […]