OPINION: Pakistan National Assembly accepts Musharraf's resignation (you watching this, Congress?)

Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf has until now stubbornly resisted pressure to quit.

Musharraf formally submitted his resignation hours earlier after a televised address announcing that he would step down -- nearly nine years after he seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999.

He had come under increasing pressure in recent weeks to quit, with the ruling coalition taking steps to impeach him.

"I don't want the people of Pakistan to slide deeper and deeper into uncertainty," Musharraf said in his televised address.

"For the interest of the nation, I have decided to resign as president," he said. "I am not asking for anything. I will let the people of Pakistan decide my future." Watch Musharraf resign »

Local media reports said he had been granted "safe passage" out of the country.

Musharraf has been a keen ally of the West in the fight on terror, receiving billions in military aid from the U.S. and launching attacks on militant groups near the country's border with Afghanistan. Watch more on Musharraf's departure »

In a statement released by U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe, President George W. Bush said it was committed to a "strong Pakistan that continues its efforts to strengthen democracy and fight terror."

"President Bush appreciates President Musharraf's efforts in the democratic transition of Pakistan as well as his commitment to fighting al Qaeda and extremist groups," the statement said.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said he had been a "friend to the United States" and one of the "most committed partners in the war against terrorism and extremism."