Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Egyptian TV late on Thursday night that he will hand power to Vice President Omar Suleiman as laid out in the constitution but did not say he was stepping down.
"I consider it appropriate to hand over the powers of the head of state to the vice president in accordance with the constitution," Mubarak said.
Mubarak appointed Suleiman, the intelligence chief, as vice president on January 29, four days after protests against Mubarak's 30-year rule broke out in the North African country.
Mubarak's speech came after the Supreme Council of Egyptian Armed Forces gathered on Thursday to discuss ways to ease the president's exit from power. The permanent meeting was chaired by Defense Minister Mohamed Tantawi, rather than Mubarak, the country's commander-in-chief, which raised concerns that the military could take power in the country.
Mubarak's refusal to step down caused outrage among the thousands of protesters on Tahrir Square, who had hoped that he would announce his resignation during his televised speech.
"We should move day by day to a peaceful transition of power starting today through September," Mubarak said in his address to the nation.
He said amendments would be introduced to the constitution in accordance with protesters' demands, adding that the government would continue political dialogue with the opposition to find a solution to the current crisis.
"We have launched a real dialogue involving the youth and all political forces," he said. "A basic agreement has been reached on various issues. This is a good beginning to overcoming the crisis."
MOSCOW, February 11 (RIA Novosti)
