[JURIST] Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf stepped down as head of Pakistan's army Wednesday, the day before he is scheduled to take an oath of office as Pakistan's civilian president. Musharraf's role as army chief complicated his recent bid for re-election as president, with several legal challenges filed against him in the Supreme Court of Pakistan [official website]. The court, reconstituted with Musharaff loyalists after he declared a state of emergency [PDF text; JURIST news archive] earlier this month, dismissed all legal challenges [JURIST report] to Musharaff's re-election last week.

Opposition lawmakers, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, welcomed Musharraf's retirement from the military, but renewed calls for the state of emergency to be lifted. AP has more.