Pervez Musharraf steps down as army chief.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is no longer the country's military leader. He stepped down today, just a day before he takes the presidential oath for a third term as a civilian. In a farewell ceremony to the army, an emotional Musharraf said the army is his life and his passion. The president has been under pressure recently to step down as military leader and end emergency rule in the country.
President Bush and Mideast leaders are forging ahead with the peace process. Yesterday, Bush announced there was quote a joint understanding between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to build a path for peace by the end of 2008. No actual peace deal was reportedly made, but the two leaders made an agreement about the understanding. The two did acknowlege that they haven't yet addressed any divisive issues that have killed deals before, but a joint declaration is a step forward. Last week, it wasn't clear whether there'd even be an actual peace conference.
In the Gaza strip, Hamas supporters are protesting the Middle East peace conference. Tens of thousands rallied peacefully yesterday. The protest was reportedly organized by Hamas militants who weren't invited to the conference because they refuse to recognize Israel and renounce violence. The group's leaders have organized daily protests against the conference for several days now and stepped up their criticism of moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, calling him a traitor to Palestinians.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is trying to restore order in his country. This comes after three consecutive nights of rioting that's caused widespread damage and injuries. Sarkozy chaired a security meeting today in an attempt to diffuse the situation. It all started when two teenagers were killed in a collision with a police car earlier this week. Police are maintaining their innocence. Around the country, twenty cars have been burned and rioters have set fire to two libraries.
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