Musharraf may get safe passage out

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's resignation Monday left the question of his future unanswered.

He had been facing the threat of impeachment from the ruling coalition as well as charges of misconduct. But until Monday, he had refused to quit.

There had been reports the impeachment proceedings would have started as early as Tuesday.

CNN reported local media as saying Musharraf has been granted "safe passage" out of the country.

Sherry Rehman, spokeswoman for the coalition-leading Pakistan People's Party, in her comments to reporters Sunday had not ruled out that possibility, CNN said.

"The decision to give a safe passage to the president is on discretion of the coalition leadership," she was quoted as saying.

Much of Musharraf's resignation speech to the nation was devoted to "accomplishments" during his nearly nine-year rule, the report said.

"After the elections, the nation wanted solutions from the new government," said Musharraf, a key ally of the United States in the war against terrorism. "But the politicians could not do so. A personal vendetta was started."