By Kim Barker, Chicago Tribune Nov. 28--ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- After years of promises, embattled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf finally stepped down as the country's army chief Wednesday morning, a move that could help ease the political crisis that has threatened to bring him down.

Washington's No. 2 diplomat delivered a blunt message to Pakistan's military ruler, telling him that emergency rule must be lifted and his opponents freed ahead of elections.