Egypt's Mubarak hands over power to VP without stepping down

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said in a televised speech on Thursday night that he will hand over power to Vice President Omar Suleiman, but will not resign, in response to more than two weeks of mass protests against his 30-year rule.


"According to the constitution, I will shoulder my responsibilities until the country witnesses the stable and peaceful transfer of power in September," Mubarak said.


"I'll transfer power to the vice president according to the constitution," he said, adding that "mistakes are possible in any regime, however, it is vital to admit and hold those who make mistakes accountable."


Mubarak's speech came in response to the massive demonstrations that swept Egypt for more than two weeks calling for his resignation. After the president announced his decision, protesters in central Cairo's Tahrir Square chanted "he must leave, " obviously unsatisfied with Mubarak's concession.


Some frustrated protesters claimed that they will storm the presidential palace on Friday.


Earlier on Thursday, Mubarak held meetings with Suleiman and Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq in the presidential palace, local media reported, without providing further details.


Meanwhile, Egyptian Information Minister Ahmad Nabih el-Fekki denied Thursday that the president will step down, saying "he will not hand over his power," in a written scroll on state TV, in response to wide speculation that the 82-year-old president might step down to ease the crisis nationwide.


Thousands of Egyptian workers staged strikes and joined in protests over salary and working conditions in several cities on Thursday amid the nationwide anti-regime demonstration.


On the same day, Egypt's Supreme Council of Armed Forces held a meeting under Hussein Tantawi, commander-in-chief of the armed forces and minister of defense, to discuss measures of maintaining the demands and ambitions of protesters.


A statement released after the meeting said that the armed forces will continue convening to discuss measures to protect the country and meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people.


Before Mubarak's speech, U.S. President Barack Obama said that the United States will continue to support an "orderly and genuine " transition to democracy in Egypt.


"We want all Egyptians to know America will continue to do every thing that we can to support an orderly and genuine transition to democracy in Egypt," he said while visiting the northern state of Michigan.


Obama said the world is witnessing "history unfold" and it is " a moment of transformation" that is happening because Egyptians' calling for change.


In his speech, Mubarak also confirmed six constitutional amendments, including removing one article related to Egypt's state of emergency when security permitted.


The amendments are applied to the presidential candidates' qualification (Article 76), presidential term (Article 77), legal supervision of election (Article 88, 76), court rulings on rigged votes (Article 93), president's use of military justice (Article 179), and amendments to constitution (Article 189).
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)