Egypt’s embattled three-decade President Hosni Mubarak says he will dismiss and replace his entire government in reaction to growing protests. In a speech on Egyptian television late Friday, he also promised sweeping reforms.
During his short speech, Mr. Mubarak made no indication he was going to leave power, instead he said he would let go his current cabinet and replace it entirely on Saturday.
(National Democratic Party) party in the capital Cairo, despite a government-imposed curfew.
Mr. Mubarak, who has been in power since 1981, said he had heard the complaints from Egyptian protesters.
He said he understands Egypt’s economy and society need to be fixed, that there should be more opportunities and a better democratic future, but he said these problems should not be dealt with through violence or chaos.
Protesters have also been calling for his resignation, but Mr. Mubarak did not address that topic.
Friday, tens of thousands of people who turned out in several cities to protest after morning prayers clashed with security forces.
The protests continued overnight, including outside the state broadcasting building and the headquarters of the ruling NDP
As Mr. Mubarak called on Egyptians to respect the rule of law during his first speech since the start of the protests this week, soldiers were deployed across the capital to quell the demonstrations.
