Musharraf resists calls to quit

Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf held out against rising calls for his resignation, but indicated he would quit if a hostile parliament slashes his powers and leaves him feeling like a “useless vegetable.”

The former army strongman, a stalwart ally in Washington’s declared war on terrorism, said Saturday that he would not quit under pressure. Foes have been calling for him to be impeached and tried for treason, a charge that carries the death penalty.

Still, Musharraf said he would prefer to retire if the new government succeeded in its efforts to roll back his presidential role to a ceremonial one.

Musharraf also suggested he would step aside if political turmoil engulfs the country.