Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has expressed readiness to work with anyone who wins next month's general elections and said that he would quit the day he felt unwanted by majority of his countrymen.
He also again ruled out a United Nations-led probe into the assassination of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto and insisted that one should not give a final statement on the cause of her death before the investigation concludes.
Asked whether he would be willing to work with opposition leaders like former premier Nawaz Sharif or Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistan President told German newspaper Der Spiegel in an interview that "national interests should reign supreme".
"We have to make sure that economic progress continues, we have to carry on fighting terrorism and we need a functioning, democratic government. I am ready to work with whoever wins," said Musharraf.
Asked whether there are any circumstances under which he could imagine resigning from his post as President, Musharraf said, "Yes".
"First of all, there is my own disposition. Following the developments of the last seven or eight months, to resign would be the easiest thing. I like playing golf, bridge and tennis, and I feel like socialising more often than is possible in my position. I like relaxing.
"Believe me: On the day I think the people, the majority, don't want me any more and the day I think I have no contribution to make to this country, I will not wait a second. I will leave," Musharraf said.
Musharraf, who recently shed his uniform to become a civilian president, felt that "If the army chief works in total harmony with the president and the prime minister, then three men can do the job better than one."
The Pakistani leader said he was quite reasonably sure about who killed Bhutto, "because we have tapped the telephones of militant extremists."
He maintained that the Pakistan People's Party leader was warned about threats to her life "but she decided differently". He also discussed the theories about her death.
"The fact is, the man who shot, shot from the left side. Nevertheless, on Benazir's body, there is an injury on the right side of the skull. I saw an enlargement of the X-ray, which showed a crack on this side of the skull. (It's difficult to fit all this together and it) shows that one should never give a final statement until the investigation has been finished."
Asked about the most probable version, he pointed out that witnesses in the car said that she slipped before the explosion. "She was waving and turned a little right and that angle may have been enough for a bullet to hit."
However, he ruled out a UN probe into the killing, saying "What does the UN have to do with this? There is a killing and we will investigate ourselves."
On whether he considers himself a possible target for assailants, Musharraf, who has survived two assassination attempts, said "Shots either hit you or they do not".
"I have been lucky that the would-be assassins did not get me. But I also take measures and I know how to protect myself" he added.
Musharraf said everything will be correct during the upcoming elections and that he has invited international observers to oversee the process, but added, "Must I prove that elections are not rigged? How can I?"
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