Doctors and lawyers join strikes as tensions rise across Egypt

Massive crowds had gathered in Cairo over speculation he planned to quit immediately following several weeks of opposition protests that were inspired by fellow Arabs in Tunisia successfully overthrowing Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali with a popular uprising on January 14.

In a late-night televised address to the nation, Mr Mubarak said the peaceful transition of power would begin but he would go only in September when new elections are due to be held. He told protesters their demands were legitimate but he would not give in to “foreign diktats”.

He would hand over powers to the vice president but would remain in position and would not leave the country.

He also vowed to punish those behind the violence of the past two weeks and offered condolences to the families of those killed, saying he shared in their pain.

He added: “I express a commitment to carry on and protect the constitution and the people and transfer power to whomever is elected next September in free and transparent elections.”

His announcement drew a furious response from massive crowds and there were calls for the demonstrators to march on the palace.

Earlier military leaders said they had stepped in to “safeguard the country” in a sign they were taking control after the Government’s grip on power had been fatally weakened following 17 days of protests demanding Mr Mubarak’s immediate removal.

General Hassan al-Roueini, military commander for the Cairo area, told thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square: “All your demands will be met today.” Some in the crowd held up their hands in V-for-victory signs, shouting “the people want the end of the regime” and “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great,”.

The military’s supreme council met yesterday without the commander-in-chief Mubarak and announced on state TV its “support of the legitimate demands of the people”.

A spokesman read a statement that the council was in permanent session without Mr Mubarak to explore “what measures and arrangements could be made to safeguard the nation, its achievements and the ambitions of its great people”.

Even some of his own supporters had expected him to step down amid growing nervousness about the worsening security situation.

Protests are increasingly spiralling out of the control of authorities trying to contain the crisis.

Labour strikes have erupted around the country, state employees revolted against their directors and workers began joining the anti-Mubarak protesters centred in Tahrir Square.

Hundreds of lawyers in black robes broke through a police cordon and marched on one of Mr Mubarak’s palaces – the first time protesters had done so, even though the President was not in the building, Abdeen Palace, several blocks from Tahrir. Police lined up in front of the palace gates stepped aside for the marchers.

Tens of thousands were massed in Tahrir itself, joined by striking doctors who marched in their white coats from a state hospital to the square and lawyers who broke with their pro-government union to join in.

“Now we’re united in one goal. The sun of the people has risen and it will not set again,” said lawyer Said Bakri.

Vice President Omar Suleiman and the Foreign Minister have been warning of the possibility of a coup or imposition of martial law if the protesters did not agree to a government-directed framework of negotiations for reforms.