Bush applauds Musharraf as he makes himself Pakistan's President till 2012

According to a Pakistani government spokesman, Bush telephoned Musharraf Friday and in addition to extending his congratulations “lauded the president’s commitment to fight extremism and terrorism.”

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other Bush administration spokesmen have heaped praise on Musharraf for formally stepping down as Chief of Pakistan Armed Services Wednesday and for announcing Thursday, soon after being sworn in as a civilian president, that the state of emergency will be lifted December 16.

These “are all positive steps that will help get Pakistan back on the pathway to democratic and constitutional rule,” declared State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, Thursday.