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Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, is taking steps to smooth his way for re-election. He has named a successor as army chief — a role he will surrender. The election is a precursor to the real battle for Musharraf to hold power after the return of ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

In Pakistan, opposition leader Benazir Bhutto threatened to launch more protests if President Gen. Pervez Musharraf doesn't meet her demands. Musharraf declared emergency rule this weekend. Pakistanis say a state of fear is gripping the country.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met with reporters Thursday and responded to accusations that he bears some responsibility for Benazir Bhutto's assassination. He said Bhutto was warned about the threat against her and asked, "Who is to be blamed for her coming out (of) her vehicle?"

Prime Minister al-Maliki says there will be a full investigation into the incident that left at least 24 people dead in the town of Haditha. Residents claim their neighbors died at the hands of U.S. Marines. NPR's Philip Reeves tells the story of one of the victims, a young man named Marwan.

As Benazir Bhutto's motorcade slowly made its way through throngs of well-wishers Thursday — heading toward the family estate — the city of Karachi was in turmoil, even before the explosions near her motorcade later in the day. Traffic was snarled and residents were debating whether her return was good thing.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. may sell F-16 fighter jets to both India and neighboring nuclear rival Pakistan. She also praises the improvement in relations between the two countries during a visit to New Delhi. It's her first stop on a weeklong trip to Asia.

Breaking a long-standing taboo, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf sends troops into the tribal region of western Pakistan in an intensified search for Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda supporters. Pakistan denies that the efforts are tied to a deal to win U.S. consent for Pakistan's pardon of a scientist who spread nuclear secrets. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

Yousef Raza Gilani orders the release of deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry from house arrest Monday, prompting speculation that the Pakistan's supreme court may be reinstated. The move deals a blow to President Pervez Musharraf.

Elections in Pakistan have been postponed for six weeks. The country's election commission announced Wednesday that they'll be on Feb. 18. President Pervez Musharraf defended the decision in a nationwide television address and announced that experts from Britain's Scotland Yard will help investigate Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

America's No. 2 diplomat has ended his weekend visit to Islamabad, Pakistan. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte met Saturday with military ruler Pervez Musharraf, telling the general to lift emergency rule and release all political detainees. Musharraf seems to be holding his ground.