Mubarak to stay until September

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has said he will stay in office and transfer power after September's presidential election.

His comments appeared to confound reports he was preparing to stand down immediately.

In an address on national television after 17 days of demonstrations against his 30-year rule, he praised the "youth of Egypt" protesting in Cairo.

But he said he would ignore "diktats from abroad".

Egypt's military had earlier said it was standing ready to "protect the nation".

"I express a commitment to carry on and protect the constitution and the people and transfer power to whomever is elected next September in free and transparent elections," Mr Mubarak said.

Ahead of Mr Mubarak's announcement, thousands of Egyptians had again gathered in central Cairo to call for him to step down.

Doctors, bus drivers, lawyers and textile workers were on strike in the capital on Thursday, with trade unions reporting walk-outs and protests across the country.

Mr Mubarak, 82, had previously said he would leave office only after presidential elections due to be held in September.

Negotiations between the government and opposition groups have made little progress, with protesters disillusioned at plans for reform put forward by Mr Mubarak's government.

In recent days, the US government had stepped up its call for the protesters' concerns to be addressed.