Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has stepped down as chief of the army in a ceremony transferring power to his hand-picked successor, General Ashfaq Kayani. On Thursday, Mr. Musharraf is scheduled to take the oath as a civilian president. Members of Pakistan's caretaker government joined journalists and military officers for the resignation ceremony in a small stadium in Rawalpindi. In the country's first such transfer of power broadcast live on television, an emotional Pervez Musharraf passed the ceremonial command stick of the army chief of staff to his successor. They then saluted each other. General Musharraf, wearing a uniform studded with medals, said he was sad to leave the army after 46 years of service, but he expressed confidence in its new leader, General Ashfaq Kayani. He said he has known General Kayani for the last 20 years. Mr. Musharraf said the general has served under his command and he found him to be an exceptional soldier.