Cairo: The Egyptian presidency is to make an "urgent and important" statement shortly, state television said on Friday, after a ruling party spokesman confirmed the president had left Cairo for Sharm Al Shaikh.
Earlier, Al Arabiya television reported that President Hosni Mubarak and his family had left Cairo to an unknown destination from a military airbase in the suburbs. It did not give a source.
Earlier, Al Arabiya television reported that President Hosni Mubarak and his family had left Cairo to an unknown destination from a military airbase in the suburbs. It did not give a source.
Al Arabiya had initially reported "news" that Mubarak and his family had left Egypt.
On Friday afternoon, demonstrators had thronged Cairo's Tahrir Square , chanting against President Mubarak.
On Friday afternoon, demonstrators had thronged Cairo's Tahrir Square , chanting against President Mubarak.
They reacted with fury Friday after the military threw its weight behind President Mubarak's attempt to cling on to power despite massive nationwide protests.
At the same time as a statement was read out on state television, an army colonel read out the same message - in which the military high command endorsed Mubarak's reform plans - in front of Mubarak's palace in Cairo.
Protesters gathered outside the palace, many of whom had hoped the military would intervene to chase the 82-year-old strongman from office, erupted angrily and one grabbed the officer's microphone to denounce the move.
"You have disappointed us, all our hopes rested in you," he shouted, as the crowd began to chant slogans calling for Mubarak to be put on trial.
"No, no, this is not a coup," the colonel protested, insisting that the army would not take power itself, but would work to ensure that the popular will was reflected in the civilian regime's programme.
In central Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the revolt, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators had already begun Friday prayers when the statement was released, and were not already aware of its contents.
The imam leading the prayers fainted towards the end of his sermon, but not before he had called on the army to "act in a way that will be acceptable to God on judgement day."
Egyptians had gathered outside President Hosni Mubarak's palace on Friday to call for his removal from power, the army did not try to stop them and one demonstrator said they planned to take over the building.
"Down, down Hosni Mubarak," chanted the protesters, who numbered a few dozen.
Protesters had walked to the presidential palace in the Heliopolis suburb of Cairo on Thursday after Mubarak said he had handed presidential powers to his deputy, Vice-President Omar Sulaiman, among other steps that did not meet their demands.
"We will march to the palace and oust Mubarak, and we know the world is on our side," said Nurhaan Ismail, a protester, 34.
Meanwhile, the state news agency reported that Egyptian military leaders have held an "important" meeting and plan to issue a response, as protesters enraged by President Hosni Mubarak's latest refusal to step down, mass for new demonstrations.
Mena says the chief commander and defense minister, Field Marshal Hussain Tantawi, chaired a meeting Friday of the Armed Forces Supreme Council and the military will issue important statement to the people afterward.
Mubarak squashes speculations
Mubarak gave most of his powers to his vice president but refused to resign or leave the country late Thursday, causing widespread anger and promises for a new push against him.
Hardly had Mubarak finished his televised address Thursday night when thousands of protesters, congregating in Al Tharir Square for 17days, chanted in unison: "We will not leave until he leaves."
In the 17-minute address, his third since the eruption of unprecedented massive protests against his 30-year rule, Mubarak transferred his powers to Vice President Omar Suliman and ordered the amendment of five constitutional articles.
"This man has lost the ability to listen to his people. He insists on clinging to power despite the repeated demand for him to step down immediately," said Mahmoud Khedr, 22, who has been camping out in Al Tharir Square for 15 days.
"Mubarak is still manuvering. His claim of transferring power to vice president is yet another ploy on his part. He can regain these powers whenever he wants," he added.
In his address, Mubarak reiterated his resolve to stay on until his term ends next September, saying he wants to ensure "a smooth and peaceful transfer of power". He also vowed to tough punish those involved in killing protesters.
"If there is anybody to be punished for those killings, he must be Mubarak himself," said Shawki Al Sayed.
"Mubarak is the supreme commander of the police, who ordered killing those protesters", he added, as other angry protesters chanted: "We all go to the (presidential) palace in the afternoon."
Groups of the protesters have said they will march on to the presidential palace in Heliopolis in eastern Cairo as part of what they call the Friday of Defiance.
- With inputs from agencies
- By Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent
- Published: 06:58 February 11, 2011
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