Egypt's military is backing President Hosni Mubarak's decision not to resign but to transfer most of his powers to his vice president.
The army's statement today is likely to further enrage protesters who have marched to Mubarak's Cairo palace and other key symbols of the hated regime in a new push to force the president out.
The statement - the second in two days - comes after a meeting of the military's Supreme Council, led by the defence minister.
The military says it endorses Mubarak's plan for a peaceful transfer of power and free and fair presidential elections later this year.
Anti-government protesters, who met no resistance from soldiers guarding the palace and other key buildings, said they were more determined than ever as the uprising entered its 18th day.
"We expected the army's decision, we always knew that it was behind Mubarak. But we know it's not going to harm us," Safi Massoud said as she joined thousands of people packed into Cairo's central Tahrir Square.
"We wont leave until we choose a transition president. We don't want Mubarak, we don't want Suleiman."
The statement by the military - the second in as many days - followed the meeting of the Armed Forces Supreme Council, led by the defence minister, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.
The military endorsed Mubarak's plan for a peaceful transfer of power and free and fair presidential elections later this year.
It also supported Mubarak's promise to lift the hated emergency laws, in force since Egypt's authoritarian ruler came to office in 1981, when the current security situation permits.
The military called for public services to be restored and urged "the return of normal life in order to safeguard the achievements of our glorious people."
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