Angry reaction to Mubarak's delay

Protesters in Egypt have reacted angrily to President Hosni Mubarak’s plan to transfer power after he announced he would not stand down until later this year.

Demonstrators maintained their presence in Cairo’s main square after Mr Mubarak rejected intense pressure to stand aside immediately.

In a speech broadcast on state television, the president said he would not be running for another term of office in the September elections, but would work during “the final months” of his term to ensure a “peaceful transfer of power”.

The former air force commander vowed not to flee the country, saying: “This is my dear homeland … I have lived in it, I fought for it and defended its soil, sovereignty and interests. On its soil I will die. History will judge me and all of us.”

The delayed nature of Mr Mubarak’s concession threatened to inflame frustration among protesters, who booed and waved their shoes in the air to signal their disgust.

US president Barack Obama suggested September would not be soon enough, saying: “What is clear is my belief an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful and it must begin now.”

He described the demonstrators as “an inspiration to people around the world” and said: “To the people of Egypt, especially the young ones, I want to be clear: we hear your voices. I have an unyielding belief that you will seize your own destiny.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said Britain would study the detail of Mr Mubarak’s proposals but added that the “real test” would be whether the Egyptian people’s aspirations were met.

An estimated 250,000 people flooded Tahrir Square in Cairo on Tuesday in the biggest demonstrations so far. They sang nationalist songs and chanted the anti-Mubarak slogan “Leave! Leave! Leave!” as military helicopters buzzed overhead.

Organisers had said the aim was to intensify marches to get the president out of power by Friday. Similar demonstrations erupted in at least five other cities around Egypt.