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10 February 2011
Last updated at
22:25
In pictures: Hopes dashed in Egypt
In a much-anticipated speech, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has said he will stay in office and transfer all power only after September's presidential election, defying the demands of hundreds of thousands of protesters.
The reaction among protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square - the heart of the ongoing revolt - was anger and dismay. Many had hoped that Mr Mubarak would step down immediately.
For the majority of the protesters, Mr Mubarak's pledge to delegate some powers to Vice-President Omar Suleiman and oversee a constitutional reform was clearly not enough.
Earlier on Thursday, tens of thousands of people celebrated in Tahrir Square what they had thought would be Mr Mubarak's last day in office after 30 years in power.
The atmosphere on the square had been euphoric, as people sang, cheered and hugged each other.
Earlier on Thursday, Egypt's powerful army said its top commanders were discussing measures aimed at preserving the nation, without elaborating further.
The protesters chanted, "The army and the people are united!", after a senior commander reportedly told them that everything they wanted would be realised.
On Thursday, thousands of doctors and lawyers joined the demonstrations in Cairo - on the 17th day of the anti-government protests.
Rallies also continued in other cities across the country. Here, protesters set fire to regional government headquarters in Port Said.
In Alexandria, protesters held pictures of the "Three Wise Monkeys" to show that President Mubarak was not willing to hear, see or talk about the demands of the demonstrators.
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