Musharraf Sworn in As Civilian President

Pervez Musharraf's authoritarian plan to hold power bore fruit this morning when he was sworn in as Pakistan's president for a second five-year term despite continuing political instability.

A day after he resigned as army chief, Musharraf took oath at Islamabad's opulent presidential palace. Wearing a long black tunic, he vowed to "preserve, protect and defend" the constitution - even though the general usurped the constitution almost four weeks ago when he imposed emergency rule, sacked the independent judiciary and curtailed political activity.

"This is a milestone in the transition of Pakistan to the complete essence of democracy," he told generals, government officials and western diplomats seated before him.

Musharraf gave no indication as to when emergency rule would be lifted, a key demand of western allies. Speculation continued that he would indicate his intentions during a television address to the nation this evening.

Meanwhile in the southern city of Lahore hundreds of protesting lawyers, many shouting "Go Musharraf Go!", clashed with police. Both sides hurled stones and glass bottles and several injuries were reported.

The unrest was a reminder of the judicial standoff that sparked the current crisis and which, despite Musharraf's best efforts, remains unresolved.

Less than a mile from the presidency the deposed chief justice, Muhammad Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was fired by Musharraf within hours of emergency rule being declared, remained under arrest inside his house, where he has been detained by intelligence and police officials since November 3.

In his first speech as a civilian, Musharraf boasted of his achievements since seizing power in 1999 and blamed recent turbulence on his enemies such as Mr Chaudhry, whom he accused of orchestrating a "conspiracy" to derail his planned "transition to democracy".

These "extraordinary conditions" forced him to impose emergency rule, he said: "The choice was to act or to give in. Acting meant extraordinary measures, no half-hearted measures."

He paid tribute to General Ashfaq Kiyani, who took control of the army after Musharraf stepped down yesterday. And, addressing ambassadors seated before him, he lashed out at western criticism of his authoritarian tactics.

"There is an unrealistic and maybe impracticable obsession with your form of democracy, with your form of human rights, civil liberties," he said.

"One certainly cannot sacrifice the stability and development of the nation for the sake of your views."

Rioting lawyers in Lahore felt otherwise. "We are not scared. We don't accept Musharraf even without his uniform. He has to go," Malik Mohammad Arshad, his eye swollen and head bleeding after being hit by a brick, told Reuters.

Musharraf the civilian also faces a growing political crisis. Notably absent from today's ceremony were Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, the opposition leaders who returned from exile in the past two months.

Instead the opposition was meeting in Lahore to decide whether to boycott the January 8 election. But Musharraf may need their support. His own Pakistan Muslim League - Q party is unlikely to win the parliamentary majority necessary to underwrite his powers. One opinion poll in September gave Musharraf a 21% popularity rating; most analysts believe it has plunged further in recent weeks.

Musharraf said he welcomed Sharif and Bhutto, both of who have returned from exile in the past two months.

"This is good for political reconciliation. I feel one has to see beyond oneself and act in the interests of Pakistan."

The election would go ahead, regardless of boycott threats, he said.

"Come hell or high water, elections will be held on January 8. Nobody derails it."