But he gave no time frame for the return of civilian rule.
The election is the third since 1983, when the country returned to civilian rule after a military coup in 1980.
The military kept their promise to return the country to democratic civilian rule.
And the politicians who fought so hard for civilian rule have not made things much better.
Today, after more than 20 years of civilian rule, many visitors to the country find themselves amazed that it did happen.
Elections and a return to civilian rule were promised for 1995.
He planned to return the country to full civilian rule by 1984.
Then it took power and declared civilian rule a failure.
But during a 45-minute interview here, the President said he was committed to civilian rule in 1992.
As such this political model has become the most common form of government on Earth, with only a few small areas practicing traditional civilian rule.