Musharraf resists calls to quit, but says he won't accept ceremonial role

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf held out Saturday against rising calls for his resignation, but indicated he would quit if a hostile parliament slashes his powers and leaves him feeling like a "useless vegetable."

Musharraf has clung to power and retained the support of U.S. President George W. Bush despite his plummeting popularity and the defeat of his supporters in February elections. Recent media reports have suggested he was ready to go into exile.

The former army strongman, a stalwart ally in Washington's war on terror, insisted Saturday that he would not quit under pressure. His arch-foes are calling for him to be impeached and tried …