ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, September 25, SPA -- President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will stay on as army chief if he is not re-elected, agovernment lawyer said Tuesday, as the Supreme Courtprepared for a ruling that could decide the fate of his bidfor another presidential term. Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, has pledged to step down as military chief and restore civilian rule if lawmakers give him another five-year mandate in a ballot Oct. 6, according to a report of the Associated Press. At a Supreme Court hearing, a judge asked Attorney GeneralMalik Mohammed Qayyum what would happen if Musharraf wasnot re-elected. Qayyum said Musharraf's position was thatif «I am not elected, then I will remain chief of armystaff.» He said Musharraf could do so under a law that allows himto hold both positions at the same time and suggested hecould retain the powerful military post as long as heremains president. The law expires at the end of 2007 although hispresidential term ends Nov. 15. Parliamentary elections areto follow by January. Qayyum told reporters after the hearing that Musharrafwould remain army chief until a new president appointed hissuccessor.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/485670