Mubarak refuses to step down

Defiant Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday refused to step down immediately but said he will not fight for another term in September, an announcement rejected by protesters who demanded his ouster by Friday.In a televised address, Mubarak said, "I say in all honesty and regardless of the current situation that I did not intend to nominate myself for a new presidential term." In a televised address, Mubarak said, "I say in all honesty and regardless of the current situation that I did not intend to nominate myself for a new presidential term."

Making it clear that he was in no mood to give up power as of now, Mubarak said he would seek changes to the constitution and called on "parliament to discuss amendments to Articles 76 (which narrows the pool of potential presidential candidates) and Article 77 (which allows for unlimited presidential terms) of the constitution to change the conditions for presidential candidacy and limit terms."

The next presidential election is scheduled for September. Until now, officials had indicated 82-year-old Mubarak would likely run for a sixth six-year term of office. Mubarak also said he has no intentions of leaving Egypt."This is my country. This is where I lived, I fought and defended its land, sovereignty and interests, and I will die on its soil," he said. Shortly after his speech, clashes broke out between pro-Mubarak and anti-government groups in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

Stone-pelting youths at Alexandria's Mahatit Masr Square scattered as automatic gunfire rang out and a tank advanced towards them before halting and then withdrawing.There was no sign of any casualties, however. Mubarak's words failed to convince over a million protesters gathered at the Cairo's Tahrir Square.

They resumed their "Leave, Mubarak!" chant shortly after his speech. Tens of thousands of unrelenting protesters who had converged on the Tahrir Square chanted, "we won't leave tomorrow, we won't leave Thursday ...", in a clear message that they will continue their protest till Mubarak steps down.

The speech was Mubarak's second direct address to the nation since the most serious challenge to his 30-year-rule began nine days ago. Earlier on Saturday, he sacked his Cabinet, named a vice-president for the first time and promised economic and political reforms.The protesters jammed in shoulder-to-shoulder turning Tahrir Square into a sea of humanity in the "march of a million", after the powerful military showed signs of distancing itself from the besieged President vowing that it would not fire on the protesters.At the beginning of his speech, Mubarak said that "the young people" have the right to peaceful demonstrations.But his tone quickly turned accusatory, and he lashed out at his detractors saying the protesters had been "taken advantage of" by people trying to "undermine the government".

Mubarak's address came as he virtually lost the backing of his strongest ally - the US - with President Barack Obama reportedly sending a message through an envoy to Mubarak not to run for another term.Nobel peace prize winner and opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei dismissed Mubarak's speech as an "act of deception".

ElBaradei said if Mubarak did not heed the call to leave power at once, he would be "not only a lame-duck president but a dead man walking". "He's unfortunately going to extend the agony here for another six, seven months. He continues to polarise the country. He continues to get people even more angry and could (resort) to violence," he was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.

The protests in Egypt erupted close on the heels of the events in Tunisia, where a popular uprising ended the 23-year-reign of Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.Obama calls for immediate beginning of transition in Egypt President Barack Obama called for immediate beginning of an orderly transition in Egypt, which has witnessed massive protests seeking the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

"What is clear, and what I indicated tonight to President Mubarak, is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now," Obama said in his speech at the White House after he spoke for 30 minutes with Mubarak, who ruling Egypt for three decades.

The process of orderly transition must include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices in opposition parties, he said. "It should lead to elections that are free and fair. And it should result in a government that's not only grounded in democratic principles, but is also responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people," Obama asserted.Referring to his conversation with Mubarak, the second one in less than a week, Obama said the Egyptian leader understood the status quo is not sustainable and that a change must take place.

"Indeed, all of us who are privileged to serve in positions of political power do so at the will of our people. Through thousands of years, Egypt has known many moments of transformation. The voices of the Egyptian people tell us that this is one of those moments, this is one of those times." US President said his administration has been in close contact with its Egyptian counterpart and a broad range of the Egyptian people, as well as others across the region and across the globe.
"And throughout this period, we've stood for a set of core principles," he said.
Obama also praised Egyptian army for not using force against agitators and allowing peaceful protests.

"First, we oppose violence. And I want to commend the Egyptian military for the professionalism and patriotism that it has shown thus far in allowing peaceful protests while protecting the Egyptian people. "We've seen tanks covered with banners, and soldiers and protesters embracing in the streets. And going forward, I urge the military to continue its efforts to help ensure that this time of change is peaceful," he said.
President Obama said he supports rights of speech and information to the Egyptians and US will continue to back democracy in Egypt.
"We stand for universal values, including the rights of the Egyptian people to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and the freedom to access information. Once more we've seen the incredible potential for technology to empower citizens, and the dignity of those who stand up for a better future. And going forward, the United States will continue to stand up for democracy and the universal rights that all human beings deserve, in Egypt and around the world," he said.

US will continue to extend the hand of partnership and friendship to Egypt, and it stands ready to provide any assistance that is necessary to help the Egyptian people as they manage the aftermath of these protests."Over the last few days, the passion and the dignity that has been demonstrated by the people of Egypt has been an inspiration to people around the world, including here in the United States, and to all those who believe in the inevitability of human freedom," Obama said."To the people of Egypt, particularly the young people of Egypt, I want to be clear: We hear your voices. I have an unyielding belief that you will determine your own destiny, and seize the promise of a better future for your children and your grandchildren. And I say that as someone who is committed to a partnership between the United States and Egypt," he added.