President Musharraf, who won a majority of votes in last week’s presidential election, said he won’t be sworn in until Pakistan’s Supreme Court rules he is eligible for a second term.

“I will not take the oath” until the court makes its decision, General Musharraf said in an interview with ARY Television, the official Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

General Musharraf received the support of a majority of lawmakers in the national Parliament and provincial assemblies in the October 6 ballot, which was boycotted by some opposition parties.

Pakistan’s Election Commission didn’t declare a winner, pending the outcome of a legal challenge to his candidacy. Other candidates say the constitution bars General Musharraf from running for president while he remains head of the armed forces.

The next Supreme Court hearing in the case is scheduled for October 17.

General Musharraf, a key ally of America in the campaign against terrorism, has said it was necessary to hold the posts of president and army chief because of domestic unrest and the fight against extremism.

He has said he can legally retain both offices until the presidential and parliamentary terms end on November 15.