WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States will continue to work with the Pakistani government, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said after President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation Monday.

    Rice thanked Musharraf, a key U.S. counter-terrorism ally, for his help in the fight against al-Qaeda.

    Musharraf, who took power in 1999 in a military coup, announced his decision to step down in a televised speech to the nation earlier in the day.

    Pakistan's ruling coalition parties said earlier this month they would launch impeachment proceedings against Musharraf, a declaration that gave rise to mounting speculation about Musharraf's likely resignation.