Musharraf begins military farewell: Officials

RAWALPINDI: President Pervez Musharraf began a series of farewell visits to Pakistan's military establishment Tuesday before he relinquishes command of the powerful army, officials said.   

The military ruler, who seized power in a coup in 1999, is to take an oath as a civilian president Thursday, a day after hanging up his uniform.   

His first stop Tuesday was at the Joint Staffs headquarters, combining the top commands of the army, navy and air forces, where he was to take the salute at a farewell parade, a defence ministry official said.   

He was later to visit the separate headquarters of the air force and navy, and to address the troops, the official said.   

The armed forces' command is based in the garrison town of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, where a double suicide bombing Saturday targeting security forces killed at least 18 people, according to an official toll.