Egypt’s embattled President Hosni Mubarak has refused to quit before elections in September, despite conceding some powers to his deputy Omar Suleiman.
‘‘I have decided to cede some powers to the vice-President according to the written constitution,’‘ Mubarak said.
The 82 year old leader, who has ruled Egypt for more than 30 years, also insisted he would die in the country.
‘‘I will say once again that I have lived in this country and I have taken responsibility in relation to this country, and Egypt is going to stay above all until I hand over power. Egypt will remain the beginning of my existence and also the end.’‘
In Cairo’s Tahrir Square, where hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters had gathered, there was a furious reaction to Mubarak’s refusal to step down. Many waved their shoes and chanted for the Egyptian president to go immediately. Despite that, Mubarak remains defiant.
