Pakistan’s president appealed for national unity after early unofficial returns showed the opposition heading towards victory today in parliamentary elections that could threaten his rule eight years after he seized power in a military coup.

Pakistan’s senate president signed legislation today that will allow General Pervez Musharraf to remain as both head of state and army chief beyond December 31.

Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain announced his resignation today after just two months in office, as part of an orchestrated power transfer that will see the finance minister take his place by the end of the week.