Egyptian leader offers concessions

Vice president Omar Suleiman met a broad representation of major opposition groups for the first time and endorsed a plan to set up a committee of judiciary and political figures to study proposed constitutional reforms allowing more candidates to run for president and impose term limits on the presidency, the state news agency reported. The committee was given until the first week of March to finish the tasks.

The regime also pledged not to harass those participating in anti-government protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands at the biggest rallies. The government agreed not to hamper freedom of press and not to interfere with text messaging and the Internet.

The meeting was the broadest representation of Egypt’s fragmented opposition to sit with the new vice president since the protests demanding the immediate removal of President Hosni Mubarak began on January 25.

The new concessions followed a series of others that would have been unimaginable just a month ago in this tightly controlled country. All appear geared to placate the protesters and relieve international pressure without giving in to the one demand that unites all the opposition – Mr Mubarak’s immediate departure.

The latest agreement makes no mention of any plan for Mr Mubarak to step before a new election is held later this year.

There were signs that the paralysis that has gripped the country since the crisis began was easing yesterday with some schools reopening for the first time in more than a week, and banks did the same for only three hours with long lines outside.

There was no sign, however, that the growing list of government concessions will end the protests with tens of thousands once again gathering in Tahrir (Liberation) Square in central Cairo yesterday afternoon.

The opposition groups represented at the meeting with Suleiman included the youthful supporters of leading democracy advocate Mohamed El Baradei, who are one of the main forces organising the protests.

The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest opposition group, and a number of smaller leftist, liberal groups also attended the meeting, according to footage shown on state TV.

Meanwhile, Tony Blair said the upheaval in Egypt has “convulsed” the politics of Israel and Palestine.

The former Prime Minister and now special envoy to the region said there was currently a “blockage” in the peace process, adding both Israel and Palestine were worried about who takes over from Mr Mubarak.

Mr Blair stopped short of saying Mr Mubarak should be allowed to remain in power but added the international community could not “stand on its head” and deny the stability he provided to the region.

He was speaking earlier this week following a meeting in Munich of the Quartet, which is made up of Russia, the US, European Union and United Nations.

Prime Minister David Cameron spoke to US president Barack Obama again last night about the situation in Egypt.

Downing Street said they expressed their “deep concern” about events there and condemned the recent violence.

“The leaders discussed their shared and deep concern at the unfolding situation in Egypt,” a spokeswoman said. “The Prime Minister and the president agreed that the Egyptian government must respond peacefully to the ongoing protests. They condemned the violence of recent days.”