Cairo, Feb. 8: Egypt has a plan and timetable for the peaceful transfer of power, the Vice-President, Mr Omar Suleiman, said on Tuesday, as protesters called for more demonstrations to show their campaign to oust the President, Mr Hosni Mubarak.
With signs growing that the government may be gaining the upper hand in the struggle for power, the Vice-President promised no reprisals against the protesters for their two-week campaign to eject Mr Mubarak after 30 years in office.
However, protesters camped at Cairo’s Tahrir Square accused the government of merely playing for time, and swore they would not give up until the current “half revolution” was complete.
“A clear road map has been put in place with a set timetable to realise the peaceful and organised transfer of power,” said Mr Suleiman, a long-time intelligence chief who has led talks with Opposition groups including the Muslim Brotherhood, Mr Mubarak’s sworn enemy.
So far the government has conceded little ground in the talks. The embattled 82-year-old President, who has promised to stand down when his term expires in September, appears to be weathering the storm engulfing Egypt, at least for the moment.
“The President welcomed the national consensus, confirming that we are putting our feet on the right path to getting out of the current crisis,” Mr Suleiman said in comments broadcast by state television, after briefing Mr Mubarak on the talks.
Hundreds of thousands have joined previous demonstrations and the UN says 300 people may have died so far.