Musharraf's army replacement is named

A former Pakistani intelligence chief will replace President Musharraf as head of the army after Saturday’s presidential election, it was announced today.

General Musharraf has said he would step down from his military role if he wins another five-year term.

General Ashfaq Kiani was today promoted to vice chief of the army and he will take the powerful top job when General Musharraf resigns, probably on Monday.

The president replaced General Kiani and another top military aide Tariq Majid in a preliminary reshuffle last month. Mr Majid has been named chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

Analysts have described both men as Musharraf loyalists likely to continue his pro-US policies.

The opposition has criticised the president for refusing to give up his military role before the election, arguing that the army should be separated from politics in a country that had alternated between civilian and military rule throughout its 60-year history.