Army: Protesters' demands ‘legitimate' - Egyptians set for ‘million man march' CAIRO: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's deputy began talks on sweeping reforms with the opposition Monday. After a week of unprecedented rallies against the government, newly appointed Vice President Omar Suleiman appeared on state television to say Mubarak had asked him to begin dialogue with all political forces on constitutional and other reforms. The channel later said talks had begun. Suleiman also said a new government sworn in by Mubarak Monday would fight unemployment, inflation and corruption – all key grievances. Before Suleiman spoke, the armed forces command had declared the demonstrators' demands “legitimate” and said it would not fire on peaceful protesters who called for a million people to take to the streets Tuesday to push Mubarak out altogether. At the same time, the United States said bluntly that he must revoke the emergency law under which he has ruled since 1981 and hold free elections. Washington has sent an envoy, former ambassador to Cairo Frank Wisner, to meet Egyptian leaders. High on the agenda of Western powers, which have been caught off guard by the speed with which Mubarak's police state has been pushed back by unarmed citizens, will be trying to prevent a full takeover by anti-Western Islamists. Appearing on television, Suleiman said: “The president has asked me today to immediately hold contacts with the political forces to start a dialogue about all raised issues that also involve constitutional and legislative reforms in a form that will result in clear proposed amendments and a specific timetable for its implementation.” Earlier, Mubarak had brought in a new government line-up with a promise of economic revival – but that failed to impress tens of thousands of people demonstrating across the country in defiance of a night-time curfew and unmolested by the troops. The army has seemed to be weighing whether to shift its loyalties. “The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people,” a military spokesman Ismail Etman said on state TV. “Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody.” The White House and the European Union renewed their calls for Mubarak to accept the will of the people, though refrained from telling their veteran ally outright that he should quit. Egyptians in the streets had no such reservations. In Washington, the White House spokesman said bluntly that he must address the grievances of his 80 million people and give them freedom. But he refused to say outright that Mubarak himself should go. About 140 people have died in clashes with security forces in scenes that overturned Egypt's standing as a stable country, promising emerging market and attractive tourist destination. Although the movement started with no clear leaders or organization, the opposition is taking steps to organize. The Muslim Brotherhood said it was seeking to form a committee with retired UN diplomat Mohamed ElBaradei to talk to the army.Saudi in Egypt shot, but safe The Kingdom's ambassador to Egypt has said that a Saudi national was taken to hospital in Cairo Monday in a “stable condition” after being shot, adds Abdullah Al-Harithy. Speaking to Okaz/SG by telephone, Ambassador Hisham Nadhir said that the man was out of danger, and arrangements were being made for his return along with his family to Kingdom as soon as his health permits. The situation regarding Saudis in Egypt was “reassuring”, he said, adding that the embassy was continuing its work to ease the passage for Saudis back to the Kingdom. “We have instructions from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to continue the airlift until the last Saudi is out of Egypt,” he said. He described the situation at Cairo Airport as “tragic”. “The terminals can't cope with all the passengers who wanted to return all at the same time,” he said. “There's also a lot of concern to get travel procedures finished quickly as the numbers increase.' He said that 5,000 Saudis had been provided with transport back to Saudi Arabia over the previous two days. “A small number still remain at the airport hotel, and we're working urgently to find them flights home.” – Okaz/Saudi Gazette with agenciesNo respite from protests People demonstrate in Cairo, Monday. A coalition of opposition groups called for a million people to take to Cairo's streets Tuesday to ratchet up pressure for President Hosni Mubarak to leave. (AP) __
