Hundreds of Thousands of pro-democracy Egyptians are expected to march onto the streets of Cairo and other cities on Friday, in what could become the largest\u2014and some fear the most violent\u2014protests thus far, as the demonstrators\u2019 wishes for the ouster of president Hosni Mubarak were dashed on Thursday.<\/p>\n
In a 17-minute address televised to the nation, Mubarak told jubilant crowds, who expected an end to his 30-year authoritarian rule, that he transferred some of this authorities to vice-president Omar Suleiman, but that he will cling to power until September, when his current term ends.
\nMubarak said he would oversee an \u201cexit the current crisis, and to realise the demands voiced by the youth and citizens … without undermining the constitution in a manner that ensures the stability of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before he finished his anticlimactic speech, protesters camped in Tahrir Square, the epicentre of Egypt\u2019s revolution, shouted \u201cdonkey, leave!\u201d<\/p>\n