A government spokesman says Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will seek another five-year term after his current tenure ends in 2007.
Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed made the announcement Tuesday, saying Pakistan needs his leadership. He did not say if he would also continue as the army chief.
Pakistan's parliament currently has a majority of pro-Musharraf lawmakers, and it was generally considered likely that General Musharraf would remain at the helm after the general elections in 2007. But up until now he had not publicly declared his intentions.
General Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in October, 1999, appointed himself president in June, 2001, and won a heavily criticized referendum in April, 2002. He then won a parliamentary vote of confidence a year later.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
