Post date: Feb 11, 2011 11:36:53 AM
Demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square voice divided views over the role of the army which has announced support for Mubarak's reforms.
CAIRO, EGYPT (FEBRUARY 11, 2011) REUTERS - Egypt's powerful army pledged on Friday (February 11) to guarantee President Hosni Mubarak's reforms in a move to defuse a popular uprising, but many angry protesters said this failed to meet their key demand that he resign immediately.
The guarantees were seen as an army push to calm the worst crisis in Egypt's modern history but a clear signal it wanted demonstrators off the streets and an end to an 18-day revolt.
In a communique issued on Friday the army said it "confirms the lifting of the state of emergency as soon as the current circumstances end", a pledge that would remove a law imposed after Mubarak became president in 1981.
The army also promised to guarantee free and fair elections and other concessions made by Mubarak
In Cairo's Tahrir Square, the centre of the protests, there were mixed feelings over the army's position.
Abu Farah said the army backed the demands of the anti-Mubarak demonstrators, adding: "The army is with the demands of the Egyptian people, because they are our brothers and they are in solidarity with us. The army's job is to protect us and to remain neutral and make sure there are no troubles and to protect the revolutionists and keep them away from the forces of oppression, the police forces, who arrest and shoot them."
But another man was disappointed the army had backed Mubarak's reforms.
"I think this implies that they do support the statement of our former president yesterday and I don't think this is a support of our democracy," said Hazem.
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