Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's cabinet resigned Saturday as anti-government ferment spurred thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets again to demand change.
At least 38 people have died in the demonstrations, including 10 members of the security forces, the state-run Nile TV said."I understand these legitimate demands of the people and I truly understand the depth of their worries and burdens, and I will not part from them ever and I will work for them everyday," he said. "But regardless of what problems we face, this does not justify violence or lawlessness."
As Mubarak spoke overnight, protesters burned police stations in Cairo and Alexandria, and overturned and torched police vehicles.
U.S. President Barack Obama said he spoke with Mubarak after he broke his silence.
"I just spoke to him after his speech, and told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise," Obama said in a televised appearance.
"Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people," Obama said. "Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away."
A senior Obama administration official, meanwhile, said Friday evening that Mubarak's speech was "hardly conciliatory and highly disappointing, but what did you expect?"
It's clear, the official said -- speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter -- that Mubarak believes he can ride this out, "and this time, we're not so sure that is the right assumption."
People gathered, expecting an announcement of resignation from Mubarak. When that did not happen, a celebratory mood quickly turned back into anger.
Earlier, protesters ransacked the headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party and set it afire. On Saturday afternoon, thousands of chanting demonstrators filed passed the smoldering building.
As they approached the state-run television building, soldiers linked arms, forming a human chain to hold back the protesters. The crowd stopped respectfully in front of the troops, and continued chanting "Down, down, Hosni Mubarak" and "the people want to bring down the regime."
"We will not stop until we get a new president," said Mustafa, who wouldn't give his full name for fear of reprisal.
The Egyptian crisis reverberated across the world, with stocks plunging on news of unrest and airlines cancelling flights.
The unprecedented protests in Egypt come weeks after similar disturbances sparked a revolution in Tunisia, forcing then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country. Similar Tunisia-inspired demonstrations have taken place in Algeria, Yemen and Jordan.
Tension reigned in Cairo's central Tahrir Square, which has been the focal point of Cairo's protests since they erupted Tuesday. On Saturday, people chanted: "Down with Mubarak" and "We are all Egyptians." People posed for snapshots with tanks and soldiers providing security.
The powerful Egyptian army, deployed to the streets for the first time since the mid-1980s, is much more respected than the police and many protesters embraced their presence. Whether the 450,000-strong armed forces will remain loyal to Mubarak is key for the nation's future.
The government imposed another nighttime curfew from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez, the cities where the largest protests have unfolded. A previous curfew had been in place nationwide Friday night into Saturday morning but it failed to keep people off the streets.Meanwhile, the consequences of the unrest started becoming apparent Saturday as Egypt's Central Bank announced the closure of all banks as well as the stock market on Sunday, state-run television reported. And mid-year university examinations were postponed.
That followed a brutal crackdown throughout Friday when thousands of riot and plainclothes police clashed violently with the protesters, firing water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas with force and impunity.
Undeterred, people ran, screamed, hurled rocks and accosted walls of security as they tried to make their way to central Cairo.
Police again fired stinging tear gas Saturday on the crowds that rumbled towards the nation's Interior Ministry building, where police are based. But that appeared to be an isolated incident and most of the demonstrations proceeded peacefully.
In Alexandria, at least 2,000 protesters gathered in Raml Square. There was no sign of police, and protests appeared peaceful.
People smiled and shook hands with troops patrolling the area. One soldier cradled a baby and posed for a picture.
People chanted: "No for Mubarak and his dynasty" and "the military and the people together will change the regime."
After darkness on mobile networks Friday, cellular service appeared to have been restored Saturday morning. Text messaging is one of the most common modes of communication for Egyptians and it was cut off amid calls for intensified dissent.
Mubarak, 82, who has not been seen in public for some time, addressed the nation in a televised speech early Saturday. He said he asked his government to step down but he intended to stay in power.
"I asked the government to resign today and I will commission a new government to take over tomorrow," Mubarak said in a national address shortly after midnight.
The aging president has ruled Egypt with an iron fist for three decades and it was widely believed he was grooming his son, Gamal, as his successor, a plan that could be complicated by demands for democracy.
Mubarak said "these protests arose to express a legitimate demand for more democracy, need for a greater social safety net, and the improvement of living standards, fighting poverty and rampant corruption."I understand these legitimate demands of the people and I truly understand the depth of their worries and burdens, and I will not part from them ever and I will work for them everyday," he said. "But regardless of what problems we face, this does not justify violence or lawlessness."
As Mubarak spoke overnight, protesters burned police stations in Cairo and Alexandria, and overturned and torched police vehicles.
U.S. President Barack Obama said he spoke with Mubarak after he broke his silence.
"I just spoke to him after his speech, and told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise," Obama said in a televised appearance.
"Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people," Obama said. "Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away."
A senior Obama administration official, meanwhile, said Friday evening that Mubarak's speech was "hardly conciliatory and highly disappointing, but what did you expect?"
It's clear, the official said -- speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter -- that Mubarak believes he can ride this out, "and this time, we're not so sure that is the right assumption."
People gathered, expecting an announcement of resignation from Mubarak. When that did not happen, a celebratory mood quickly turned back into anger.
Earlier, protesters ransacked the headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party and set it afire. On Saturday afternoon, thousands of chanting demonstrators filed passed the smoldering building.
As they approached the state-run television building, soldiers linked arms, forming a human chain to hold back the protesters. The crowd stopped respectfully in front of the troops, and continued chanting "Down, down, Hosni Mubarak" and "the people want to bring down the regime."
"We will not stop until we get a new president," said Mustafa, who wouldn't give his full name for fear of reprisal.
The Egyptian crisis reverberated across the world, with stocks plunging on news of unrest and airlines cancelling flights.
The unprecedented protests in Egypt come weeks after similar disturbances sparked a revolution in Tunisia, forcing then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country. Similar Tunisia-inspired demonstrations have taken place in Algeria, Yemen and Jordan.
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