EGYPTIAN President Hosni Mubarak has reiterated his intention to stand down in September, igniting the wrath of thousands of protesters in Cairo’s Tharir Square.
His comments in a national TV address confounded earlier reports that he was preparing to stand down immediately.
The 82 year old dictator said he had passed on some of his authority to his vice president and former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman as he addressed the Egyptian people on state television and announced that the transition of power will take place from today until September.
Mubarak also said that errors can happen in any political system, and he wants to continue the national dialogue that has begun to get through this crisis.
He apologized to the families of protesters killed in clashes with the security forces in recent weeks, and said those responsible for their deaths would be punished.
“I express a commitment to carry on and protect the constitution and the people and transfer power to whomever is elected next September in free and transparent elections,” Mr Mubarak said.