Egypt Live Report
CAIRO (AFP) - – 2039 GMT: Crowds celebrate in Ramallah, in the Palestinian Territories, waving flags and cheering the Egyptian people. In Rabat, Moroccans loudly cheer Mubarak's departure while calling for reforms in the Arab world.
2032 GMT: Demonstrators take to the streets of Yemen's capital Sanaa celebrating Mubarak's resignation. Some demonstrators chant slogans such as "Yesterday Tunisia, today Egypt, and tomorrow Yemenis will break their chains," and "The people want to overthrow the regime." Others waved Egyptian flags
2025 GMT: "Egyptians have inspired us," says Obama. "It was the moral force of non-violence -- not terrorism, not mindless killing -- but non-violence, moral force that bent the arch of history toward justice once more."Today "belongs to the people of Egypt, and the American people are moved by these scenes in Cairo and across Egypt because of who we are as a people, and the kind of world that we want our children to grow up in," he says..
2015 GMT: "This is not the end of Egypt's transition. It's a beginning," Obama says. "I'm sure there will be difficult days ahead, and many questions remain unanswered. But I am confident that the people of Egypt can find the answers and do so peacefully, constructively, and in the spirit of unity that has defined these last few weeks."
2009 GMT: Egypt's military must ensure credible transition to democracy, Obama says.
2007 GMT: "Egypt will never be the same," US President Barack Obama says in a television broadcast.
1955 GMT: In Gaza City, gunmen from Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, gather in the centre for a celebration rally. Similar gatherings are reported across the Gaza Strip as people respond to calls over loudspeakers to come and "join the celebrations with the Egyptian people."
1945 GMT: The political turmoil in Egypt may encourage Israel to normalise ties with Turkey says Mithat Rende, who headed a Turkish inquiry into the deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship last year.
1930 GMT: Celebrations are taking place in cities across Egypt, correspondents report.
Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the nationwide revolt that toppled Mubarak, thundered with chants of "The people have overthrown the regime" as tens of thousands of protesters waved flags and honked their car horns.
Across Cairo, gunshots, fireworks and the rhythmic car horns usually reserved for weddings were heard as Egyptians celebrated Mubarak's resignation.
Meanwhile, in Tunisia, the country which sparked the events in Egypt when it ousted its own long-term president in January, Tunisians danced in the street and blared their horns to celebrate Mubarak's resignation.
"It's wonderful! Two dictators have fallen in less than a month," said 23-year-old student Nourredine as he joined in an impromptu street party on Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, one of the main sites for the protests which toppled ex-Tunisian president Ben Ali.
1912 GMT: More on the reaction from Israel, perhaps the most nervous observer of events for understandable reasons.
Unlike most countries, there was no immediate public reaction, but an official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP: "We hope that the transition to democracy, for Egypt and for its neighbours, will be done smoothly."
The official stressed the need to preserve the 1979 peace treaty between the two countries which was signed two years before Mubarak came to power and is opposed by some powerful forces in Egypt, including the Moslem Brotherhood.
"This treaty serves the interests of the two countries and constitutes a guarantee for the stability of the entire region," the official said.
1855 GMT: When we consider what might happen next, it might be worth noting what US State Dept (via WikiLeaks) thinks of his de facto successor Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi:
"He and Mubarak are focused on regime stability and maintaining the status quo through the end of their time. They simply do not have the energy, inclination or world view to do anything differently," it said of the Field Marshall, a colleague points out.
1847 GMT: In Washington, the White House says President Barack Obama is due to make a statement on the situation in Egypt in just over an hour's time, at 2000 GMT.
He was originally scheduled to make his statement at 1800 GMT, but perhaps after being burned on this yesterday, he wants to make sure there are no surprises?
EARLY EVENING SUMMARY: Well, as (almost) everyone must now know, Hosni Mubarak has resigned, handing over to the army, which has promised to respect the will of the people.
The first signs that the Egyptian crisis really would end this way emerged shortly after midday with news that he and his family had gone to his residence in the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
In Cairo and other cities around the country, celebrations are taking place. Leaders from around the Middle East and the rest of the world have broadly welcomed Mubarak's departure - some in the west more cautiously than others.
Read down to see how the day unfolded, as our coverage continues.
1832 GMT: The Egyptian army declares in a statement read out on television that it will not oppose the "popular will".
1830 GMT: UN chief Ban Ki-moon has joined in, telling reporters the "voice of the Egyptian people has been heard" and calling for "a transparent, orderly and peaceful transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people." This had to include "free, fair and credible elections leading to the early establishment of civilian rule." he said.
1826 GMT: More from leading opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei: "Egypt Today is a free and proud nation. God bless," the former head of UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency wrote on Internet microblogging site Twitter.
1813 GMT: Will Hosni Mubarak be facing financial hardship in retirement? It seems unlikely.
But one possible minor inconvenience following his departure from office: the Swiss government has just ordered a freeze on any assets belonging to him and his entourage, the Swiss foreign ministry said. Ah well.
1750 GMT: In London, David Cameron, prime minister of the former colonial power, Britain, found a new adjective, to say it had been a "remarkable", before urging whatever government is formed to "put in place the building blocks of a truly open, free and democratic society."
"As a friend of Egypt and the Egyptian people we stand ready to help in any way that we can," he added.
1745 GMT: Voicing a key concern of western governments, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the new leadership that will emerge to respect the country's 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
Saying "I rejoice with the people in Egypt," and urging all to work together in peace, she added: "We also expect the future Egyptian government to continue to keep the peace in the Middle East, in that the agreements made with Israel are respected and Israel's security is guaranteed," she said.
1742 GMT: And the leading opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei has also welcomed the announcement.
"We have got our life back," he told Al-Jazeera television in an interview.
1732: In Cairo, Egypt's powerful Islamist opposition group the Muslim Brotherhood hailed the resignation and "thanked the army, which kept its promises."
1729 GMT: In Washington, US Vice President Joe Biden has also opted, like German Chancellor Merkel, for the cautiously diplomatic word "historic".
Lebanon's Hezbollah also used the word, though adding crucially that it was a "historic victory", as car horns blared and fireworks exploded in Beirut.
1727 GMT: Turkey's foreign minister has congratulated the Egyptian people on toppling Mubarak and said he hoped a new system would emerge in the wake of the veteran president's departure.
"Congratulations to the Egyptian people. And we hope that a system meeting the expectations of the Egyptian people will emerge," Ahmet Davutoglu said in a message on his Twitter page.
1720 GMT: Cyberactivist Wael Ghonim has tweeted "congratulations to Egypt, the criminal has left the palace" in Arabic.
"Welcome back Egypt," he added in English on his Twitter page (www.twitter.com/Ghonim), as celebrations continued in cities around Egypt.
Ghonim, 30, a Google regional marketing executive, emerged as a spokesman of the uprising after his release on Monday following 12 days in custody.
1714 GMT: In Amman, Jordan's powerful Muslim Brotherhood said Mubarak's decision should be a "lesson" to all Arab regimes.
"Arab regimes should learn a lesson from what happened. All Arab peoples suffer from the corruption of their regimes," Jamil Abu Baker, the movement's spokesman, told AFP.
1710 GMT: In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed Mubarak's decision to resign as a "historic change".
We can expect a lot of these sorts of rather guarded comments from Mubarak's former western allies.
1707 GMT: "As Mubarak decided to step down, geopolitical concerns eased and (New York) crude oil prices retreated toward $86," said Sucden analyst Myrto Sokou.
"The potential shutdown in the operations at the Suez Canal looks very unlikely for the near-term."
1704 GMT: World oil prices slide and European stock markets bounce following news of Mubarak's resignation.
Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March sank to $100.43 per barrel, before pulling back to $100.75, down 12 cents from yesterday closing level.
1703 GMT: Iran says Egyptians have achieved a "great victory" with the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
1700 GMT: Palestinian faction Hamas hails Mubarak's resignation as "the start of the Egyptian revolution" as scenes of jubilation erupted across the Gaza Strip enclave, squeezed between Israel. and Egypt.
1654 GMT: Outside Mubarak's fortified presidential compound, Lubna Darwish weeps. "I'm crying because I'm happy," the 24-year-old tells AFP.
"I'm happy, but we have much more to do. The people need to control this. We love the army, but the people made this revolution and they should control it."
Mohammed Gouda, an 18-year-old student, echos her concern.
"We don't want another 1952. That was a coup, not a revolution. Has Mubarak resigned or has the army taken over? The youth should remain alert," he said, referring to Egypt's last military takeover.
1652 GMT: "Congratulations to Egypt, criminal has left the palace:" Wael Ghonim tweet
1646 GMT: Wall Street investment bank Brown Brothers Harriman says: "We think having the military take over was the best solution in ending the deadlock between the protesters and Mubarak."
However, the bank warns in a comment: "there are still more questions than answers with regards to Egypts ultimate fate and so investors must be prepared for ongoing volatility."
1642 GMT: Jubilation erupts in Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave hemmed in between Israel and Egypt.
1640 GMT: Israel hopes the transition of power in Egypt after the departure of Mubarak will be conducted "smoothly," a government official tells AFP.
1638 GMT: Tunisians dance in the street and blare their horns in celebration at the toppling of Mubarak today, only four weeks after their own long-time ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted.
1635 GMT: European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton welcomes Mubarak's decision to stand down, saying he has "listened to the voices of the Egyptian people" and opened the way to reform.
By departing Mubarak has "opened the way to faster and deeper reforms".
"It is important now that the dialogue is accelerated leading to a broad-based government which will respect the aspirations of, and deliver stability for, the Egyptian people," Ashton said in a statement.
1632 GMT: Palestinian faction Hamas hails "start of the victory of the Egyptian revolution."
1630 GMT: Suleiman's statement: "Taking into consideration the difficult circumstances the country is going through, President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave the post of president of the republic and has tasked the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to manage the state's affairs."
1627 GMT: Cairo erupts with joyful dancing, singing and cries of "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule comes to an end following more than two weeks of mass protests.
1624 GMT: He survived 10 attempts on his life, and at 82 his health was a subject of speculation. But in the end, it was his people who brought down Egypt's modern-day pharaoh.
Pulling off a second surprise in as many days, President Hosni Mubarak today stepped down and handed over power to the army from whose ranks he emerged, his deputy Omar Suleiman announced on television.
1622 GMT: Obama to make on-camera statement on Mubarak resignation
1620 GMT: Mubarak 'listened to the voices' of Egypt's people: EU
1614 GMT: US stocks surge on news of Mubarak's resignation, with the Dow moving from an early slight loss to add 0.30 percent, while the Nasdaq also rose 0.30 percent.
1611 GMT: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down and handed power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Vice President Omar Suleiman says in a brief televised statement.
1607 GMT: Wall Street stocks jump on Mubarak's resignation
1607 GMT: Mubarak hands power to Egyptian army: VP Suleiman
1606 GMT: Military to rule Egypt
1605 GMT: Explosion of joy in Tahrir Square
1603 GMT: Mubarak steps down: VP Suleiman
1552 GMT: "They've got to hang on. Any concession will only add to the obstinacy of that fox Mubarak," is one piece of advice Tunisian Abdel Kader is eager to share with Egyptian protestors fighting to topple their ruler.
1549 GMT: Nigerian rights groups say police denied them permission to stage a protest in support of Egyptians demanding that President Mubarak step down.
1545 GMT: The United States should not fear engaging Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood as it is crucial to support people's choices in the Islamic world, Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says.
1539 GMT: AFP correspondent Dave Clark, who is coordinating coverage in the Cairo bureau today, did a similar job in Abidjan a few weeks ago, while everyone waited to see whether Ivory Coasts Laurent Gbagbo would take the hint and step down as president, after elections which the world said were won by his opponent. Gbagbos still there, he points out. What will Mubarak do?
1537 GMT: Hossam Badrawi, secretary general of Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party, is about to resign after just six days in the job, a source close to him tells AFP.
1534 GMT: An Egyptian protester has died and 20 people have been injured in clashes between police and demonstrators in the north Sinai town of Al-Arish, a security official tells AFP.
The unidentified protester was killed in an exchange of gunfire between police and demonstrators who were trying to free detainees from a police station, the official says.
1529 GMT: Leader of Mubarak's ruling party to step down: source
1527 GMT: State TV, besieged by cheerful protesters, has adopted a novel form of reality protest show. A presenter is standing in the crowd with his cellphone passing it to demonstrators who are filmed in long shot from somewhere behind the security cordon.
One by one they shout the peoples grievances into the phone, and its broadcast live on air. Its a bit repetitive, but its an extraordinarily open development on a state channel normally seen as a propaganda organ.
1520 GMT: US official: Mubarak's move to Sharm el-Sheikh "positive first step"
1515 GMT: Italy warns of a looming immigration "emergency" and appeals for European Union assistance, after coast guards intercepted hundreds of undocumented immigrants sailing from Tunisia.
"There is a risk of a real humanitarian emergency," says Interior Minister Roberto Maroni. The uprising in Egypt and last month's revolt in Tunisia are leading to a "mass flight" to Italian shores by immigrants, he adds.
1500 GMT: The tense situation in Egypt is affecting US stocks, dealers say. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 17.52 points (0.14 percent) at 12,211.85
"Concerns toward the Middle East are stymieing sentiment on the heels of Egyptian President Mubaraks decision to remain in office," analysts at Charles Schwab say in a client note.
1456 GMT: A security official estimated the total number of marchers in Cairo at up to one million, while an AFP journalist estimated there were around half a million on the seafront in the second city of Alexandria and there were reports of thousands more in Red Sea cities.
1451 GMT: Egyptian protesters in the north Sinai town of El-Arish exchanged gunfire with police today and hurled Molotov cocktails at a police station, witnesses say.
About 1,000 protesters broke off from a larger group and headed towards a police station, lobbing firebombs and burning police cars, according to the witnesses.
Several people have been wounded in the clashes, but the number is not immediately clear, the witnesses add.
1446 GMT: "People here don't care if he's in the palace or not. We want him to quit the presidency," says 40-year-old Mohammed Hamdan, who works for an oil firm, as he joins the protest outside Mubarak's palace in the Cairo suburbs.
1442 GMT: The Egyptian presidency is to make an "urgent and important" statement shortly, state television says.
"An important and urgent statement will be made by the presidency of the republic shortly," it says.
1434 GMT: Egypt presidency to make 'important' statement shortly: state TV
1433 GMT: A former Israeli minister who has close ties with the Egyptian regime said on Friday that embattled President Hosni Mubarak had told him, shortly before making last night's televised speech that he was looking for an "honorable exit."
Speaking to Israeli army radio, Labour MP Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, until recently a minister, said he had spoken to Mubarak by phone shortly before his address to the nation. "He knows it's over, that it is the end of the road. He didn't tell me anything before his speech, except that he was looking for a way out," Ben-Eliezer said.
1427 GMT: It tells you something when Iraq is considered a safer place to be than where you are.
News from the AFP Baghdad office: The Iraqi government is offering money and free flights to Iraqi citizens in Egypt who want to escape the raging protests. More than 1,700 Iraqis have so far taken up the offer to return home, making use of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's personal plane and one provided by transport ministry. Families who opt to stay in Egypt are also to receive financial support.
1409 GMT: Mohammed Abdellah, a spokesman for the ruling National Democratic Party, tells our reporter that the president and his family are in the resort.
Is this a show of strength, or getting out while the going's good?
1359 GMT: Mubarak's party tells AFP he and and his family are in Sharm el-Sheikh.
1353 GMT: At least a million Egyptians have taken to the streets of cities around the country today to demand the departure of President Hosni Mubarak, according to an AFP tally of official and witness accounts.
1348 GMT: Tomorrow's rally in Algiers is being organised by the National Coordination for Change and Democracy (CNCD), a three-week-old umbrella group of opposition parties, civil society movements and unofficial unions emboldened by the mass protests in Tunisia and Egypt.
The CNCD is demanding the immediate end of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's regime, citing the same problems of high unemployment, housing problems and soaring costs that have inspired uprisings in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt.
Said Sadi says 10,000 police are being drafted into Algiers, to reinforce the 20,000 who succeeded in blocking the last protest on January 22, when five peole were killed and more than 800 hurt in clashes.
1344 GMT: "He (Mubarak) has to leave the country, our demands are clear," says Magdy Sabry, one of thousands blockading the state television building in central Cairo.
"We want the entire (ruling) National Democratic Party to be dissolved and to get out because they have destroyed the country," he says.
1341 GMT: Said Sadi, head of Algeria's opposition Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), says authorities have ringed the capital in a bid to prevent people joining tomorrow's pro-democracy march from outside the city.
"Trains have been stopped and other public transport will be as well," he says.
1337 GMT: Meanwhile, tension is mounting in another North African country, Algeria. Large numbers of police have been deployed in the centre of the capital Algiers today ahead of a pro-democracy march planned by opposition groups in defiance of a government ban.
1332 GMT: AFP reporter Joe Krauss is on the scene at the state-owned Nile TV building and reports no sign of any violence.
The TV station is heavily guarded with tanks and armoured personnel carriers, with machine gun nests on balconies in the massive sky scraper overlooking river. The protesters are drumming and waving flags. The protesters are still dealing with soldiers in a friendly way, Krauss says.
1326 GMT: "Mubarak has left Cairo with all his family," a government source tells AFP, but refuses to say whether the president has left the country or is headed to his residence in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
1324 GMT: A crowd has marched along the corniche running along the banks of the Nile in downtown Cairo to the barbed wire barricades defending the TV station, defended by well-armed troops. They halted there and chanted slogans.
1321 GMT: About 2,000 demonstrators are outside the state television headquarters, on the banks of the Nile near Tahrir Square, AFP correspondents say.
1317 GMT: AFP correspondents report that at least 3,000 people have march on Mubarak's main official residence in the upscale Heliopolis neighbourhood, their numbers boosted by hundreds of people arriving from Tahrir Square.
1316 GMT: Mubarak, family have left Cairo: government source.tells AFP.
1306 GMT: A BBC correspondent says the size of the demonstrations across Cairo is among the biggest if not the biggest in 18 days of protest but there is confusion about what should be the next step.
1302 GMT: BBC TV shows state TV building ringed with barbed wire put up this morning.
1301 GMT: Sky News citing sources saying thousands in Tahrir Square are trying to make their way to the state TV building.
1251 GMT: BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson, speaking from Cairo, says the crowd, although fired up, don't seem prepared at this stage to use violence.
1248 GMT: BBC cites Israeli TV and al-Arabiya reports saying Mubarak has left Cairo. The Israeli report, from Channel 10, says he has gone to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he has a villa.
1246 GMT: Leading dissident and Mubarak opponent, former UN nuclear watchdog head Mohammed ElBaradei Tweets: Entire nation is on the streets. Only way out is for regime to go. People power can't be crushed. We shall prevail. Still hope army can join
1244 GMT: "One human rights measure announced by the President was the cancellation of Article 179 of the constitution, a measure we have long called for, as it entrenches violations relating to arrests, detentions and trials. But he failed to give any timeline for when that would happen," Amnesty said.
"The language used by Vice President Suleiman to try to discourage protesters from making their voices heard is also unacceptable. It is ironic that a government which has fired on and allowed thugs to attack peaceful protesters is attempting to persuade protesters to go home by warning of chaos and destruction, the human rights group says in a statement just released.
1241 GMT: President Hosni Mubarak and Vice President Omar Suleiman "utterly failed to respond to the demands of the protesters" in their speeches last night, Amnesty International says.
1233 GMT: CNN text headline: Protesters surround government buildings in Suez,
1220 GMT: "The tension in Egypt has seen some US dollar demand after President Mubarak decided that he would not stand down, after it being widely expected he would do so, fuelling some risk aversion," CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson tells AFP.
1218 GMT: The dollar strengthens against the euro as increasing unrest in Egypt leads traders to seek safe-haven assets.
"Developments in Egypt have forced investors to back off risk assets," said analyst Adrian Schmidt at Lloyds Banking Group.
The dollar is regarded as a safe investment in times of heightened geopolitical turmoil, while the euro is viewed as a riskier currency.
1208 GMT: Governments around the world must be closely watching events in Tahrir Square today after a US administration official told CNN last night that Mubarak's speech was "not what we were told would happen, not what we wanted to happen."
1204 GMT: A Sky News correspondent in Tahrir Square says he expects march to go ahead to six key locations including state run Nile TV and resident Mubarak's palace.
"People are saying not only will people stay here but they will win the revolution, as they put it," he says.
1153 GMT: TV pictures from Tahrir Square show it is still crowded but some people are making their way out of the square.
1150 GMT: Al-Arabiya television channel is reportedly saying protesters have taken over government establishments in the city of Suez.
1142 GMT: European stock markets fall as traders weigh the developing Egypt crisis, as well as a contraction to Spain's economy and news of a key tie-up between Microsoft and the world's biggest mobile phone maker Nokia.
"There's still a belief that Egypt will see a peaceful transition of power but the theme of risk aversion does seem to be creeping back onto the cards ahead of the weekend break," says Chris Weston, a trader at IG Markets.
1139 GMT: AFP correspondents report: "Demonstrators sobbed as they conducted the weekly Muslim prayers in massed ranks in Cairo's Tahrir Square."
"The preacher choked up as he gave the sermon and the crowd screamed "Leave! Leave!" at each mention of the hated strongman."
1127 GMT: The story so far: Go to AFP's blog site to catch up on yesterday's developments as they happened:
http://blogs.afp.com/
1114 GMT: A protester in Tahrir Square says on BBC News: "We do not want Mubarak or Omar Suleiman. The government has lost all credibility. We call them Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves"
"We are extremely frustrated and angry."
1107 GMT: Protesters in Tahrir Square wave banners and shout slogans calling for Mubarak to stand down.
1104 GMT: The Middle East and the whole world waits to see what will happen in Tahrir Square. Will the crowds disperse as the army has urged? Will people march to key locations in Cairo such as the state television building or the president's palace? Crowds have already assembled in both places.
1101 GMT: A dramatic moment. History could be in the making as Friday prayers come to a close in Tahrir Square. The square is completely thronged with people as the time for the mass rallies approaches.
1056 GMT: Three Egyptian officers shed their weapons and uniforms and join hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding the immediate overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, witnesses say.
"They joined the crowd, smiling, and chanted slogans calling for the fall of the regime," student Omar Gamal tells AFP from Cairo's Tahrir Square, the focal point of the protests.
1054 GMT: "Thousands of enraged demonstrators are protesting in front of the television building," reports AFP photographer Marco Longari.
1052 GMT: In Tahrir Square the sheikh leading the prayers faints towards the end of his sermon, but not before he called on the army to "act in a way that will be acceptable to God on judgement day."
1044 GMT: Egyptian demonstrators react with fury as the military throws its weight behind President Mubarak's attempt to cling on to power despite massive nationwide protests.
Protesters outside Mubarak's palace erupt angrily and one grabs an army officer's microphone to denounce the move.
"You have disappointed us, all our hopes rested in you," he shouts, as the crowd begin to chant slogans calling for Mubarak to be put on trial.
1042 GMT: The BBC's Persian television service is being jammed from within Iran following coverage of the mass protests against President Hosni Mubarak's rule in Egypt, the broadcaster says.
BBC Persian TV has been working with the BBC's Arabic TV service to broadcast rolling news from Egypt, and the broadcaster believes it is this coverage which has prompted the jamming which began yesterday
1040 GMT: Friday prayers are under way in Tahrir Square.
1037 GMT: The army's statement says it is committed to "safeguarding the legitimate demands of the people and will work to implement them ... for a peaceful transition of power and a free democratic society."
The communique says the army will not arrest those calling for reform, but warns against any "harm to the safety and security of the nation."
1034 GMT: The army's statement asks protesters to go home and get back to work.
TheSupreme Council of the Armed Forces, headed by Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, says it has agreed to "lift the emergency law as soon as the current circumstances are over" and "to hold free and fair presidential elections based on constitutional amendments."
1023 GMT: BBC saying the army has promised to repeal the state of emergency which has been in place in Egypt since 1981, the year Mubarak came to power.
1016 GMT: AFP's Daphne Benoit reports from Luxor: "The hotels are empty, souks deserted and tour guides idle. Luxor has been but a shadow of its former self since the uprising against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak started."
Luxor tour guide Ebrahim Moses says: "Economically, it's serious."
"Travel agents aren't working, no one is selling anything," laments Moses at the entrance of the Luxor Temple, a marvel of ancient Egyptian architecture and normally a big tourist draw.
1012 GMT: A council of Egyptian generals pledges the army will guarantee "free and fair elections," in a second communique read out on state television as anti-regime protests enter their 18th day.
1006 GMT: World oil prices climb as heightened tensions in Egypt fuel concerns about possible disruption to crude supplies through the Suez Canal, analysts say.
Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March jumps 88 cents to $101.75 a barrel. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for March, climbs 68 cents to $87.41.
1002 GMT: Egypt army to guarantee "free and fair elections"
1000 GMT: The statements in the army's "communique number two" are initially hard to interpret but AFP will bring you further details as soon as we can.
0958 GMT: Its hard to gauge total turnout in Egypt, with so many huge demonstrations nationwide, but it seems to be on course for the biggest day of protest since the January 25 revolt began. Normally on Fridays things are quite quiet until after prayers, but this week the crowds began swelling early.
0956 GMT: The Egyptian army will act as the guarantor of reforms promised by embattled President Hosni Mubarak, military high command vows today in its "communique number two" read out on state television.
0952 GMT: "Egypt army calls for return to normal life": statement.
0952 GMT: Egypt army warns against any threat to nation's security
0951 GMT: "Egypt army to act as guarantor of Mubarak reforms": statement.
0951 GMT: Tens of thousands of protesters are gathering in Alexandria, Egypts second city, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.
A new day of excitement and anxiety dawns over Cairo's Tahrir square after hopes surged and were then dashed last night as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced that he is continuing in office.
Following 17 days of passionate but peaceful demonstrations across Egypt the stage is set for another day of high drama as crowds make their way to central Cairo, where possibly more than a million people will gather for anti-Mubarak mass protests at 1100 GMT following Friday prayers.
Another key development will come when the army's Supreme Command Council issues its Communique Number 2, which it is expected to do in the course of the day.
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