Defiant Mubarak resists masses

After doctors and lawyers joined the massed crowd of strikers and protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square yesterday, confirmation that Mr Mubarak was to make a public statement raised expectations he was standing down after 30 years as ruler.

The development came after Egypt’s military stepped in to “safeguard the country”, with General Hassan al-Roueini, military commander for the Cairo area, telling protesters: “All your demands will be met today.”

But, on television, the 82-year-old President told the millions watching that he was transferring some powers to his vice-president but would stay on and would not bow to foreign pressure.

Mr Mubarak addressed the “youth of Egypt”, saying he had pride in those who had gathered in “liberation square” to voice their demands for a “better future”.