Cairo, February 02: Egyptian opposition groups and figures have dismissed President Hosni Mubarak’s latest speech, saying it fails to meet the demands of the anti-government protesters.
Opposition figure and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei called the president’s address deceptive and urged Mubarak to step down immediately, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
In a televised speech earlier in the day, Mubarak said that he would not run in the election scheduled to be held in September but said he would stay in office until then.
“He’s unfortunately going to extend the agony here for another six, seven months. He continues to polarize the country. He continues to get people even more angry and could (resort) to violence,” ElBaradei said.
ElBaradei has declared he is prepared to lead the country through the transition to democracy.
“I’m not necessarily interested in running the country. Without democracy, there’s no life. The issue of who is going to run doesn’t really matter. The important thing is how he’s going to be chosen.”
Mubarak also stated that he would embark on political reforms in a move apparently meant to appease the demonstrators.
The Muslim Brotherhood has dismissed Mubarak’s speech, saying its members will continue to protest until the president resigns. The Muslim Brotherhood also announced that the group would not commence any negotiations with Mubarak still in power.
Meanwhile, US officials seem to be worried about a sudden and unpredictable transfer of power.
On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama urged his Egyptian counterpart to immediately begin an orderly, meaningful, and peaceful transition of power.
However, the opposition appears to be losing patience.
After Mubarak’s address, the protesters said that February 4 would be the “Friday of departure” for the president and announced that they would be gathering at his palace on Friday afternoon.
——–Agencies