ISLAMABAD (Reuters):

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said yesterday a general election would be held by January 9 but under a state of emergency he imposed eight days ago.

Musharraf, under pressure from rivals and Western allies to put nuclear-armed Pakistan back on a path to democracy, said the National Assembly and provincial assemblies would be dissolved in coming days, upon completion of their terms.

The army chief also told a news conference that he would quit the military and be sworn in as a civilian president as soon as the Supreme Court struck down challenges to his October 6 re-election. He said he hoped that would happen as soon as possible.

Fresh violence erupted between police and supporters of Opposition Leader Benazir Bhutto with four people hurt when police fired to break up protests in Bhutto's home province of Sindh, and many people detained, a party official said.

Calls to end emergency rule

Bhutto, who has been demanding an end to emergency rule and a speedy poll, said the announcement on the vote was positive.

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also welcomed the announcement but called for an end to emergency rule.

The United States is worried that the turmoil will hamper its ally's efforts against terrorism.

Meanwhile, in Lahore, Bhutto continued to rev up support ahead of a mass protest planned for Tuesday against President Pervez Musharraf's emergency rule.

Waving the black, red and green flags of her Pakistan People's Party, hundreds of frenzied activists shouted "Benazir Prime Minister!" and "Long live Bhutto", thrusting their arms in the air and making V for victory signs.

Bhutto intends to lead a procession of vehicles to Islamabad tomorrow to demand that Musharraf quit as army chief, end the emergency rule he imposed a week ago, restore the constitution and free thousands of detained lawyers and opponents.

Police have vowed to block the convoy, just as they stifled a planned protest rally in the city of Rawalpindi on Friday.