Egyptian President Hosni Murbarak will not step down until Sept. elections

CAIRO (AP) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says he is transferring power to his vice president, Omar Suleiman, but will not leave the country.

Mubarak said in a nationally televised address Thursday that the demands of protesters calling for his immediate ouster are just and legitimate. He said he had requested six constitutional amendments,

answering one of the demands of the protesters. He said he would lift hated emergency laws when security permitted.

Mubarak also vowed to punish those behind violence over the past two weeks and offered condolences to the families of those killed.
 

As reported by the Associated Press, President Hosni Mubarak will meet the demands of protesters, military and ruling party officials.

Gen. Hassan al-Roueini, military commander for the Cairo area, told thousands of protesters in central Tahrir Square, "All your demands will be met today." Some in the crowd held up their hands in V-for-victory signs, shouting "Allahu akbar," or "God is great," a victory cry used by secular and religious people alike.

The head of the ruling party, Hossam Badrawi, told The Associated Press that he expects that Mubarak will "address the people tonight to respond to protesters demands."