Mubarak Refuses to Step Down

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt told the Egyptian people
Thursday that he would delegate more authority to his vice
president, Omar Suleiman, but that he would not resign his
post, contradicting earlier reports that he would step aside
and surprising hundreds of thousands of demonstrators
gathered to hail his departure from the political scene.

In a nationally televised address following a tumultuous day
of political rumors and conflicting reports, Mr. Mubarak said
he would "admit mistakes" and honor the sacrifices of young
people killed in the three-week uprising, but that he would
continue to "shoulder my responsibilities" until September,
and did not give a firm indication that he intended to depart
the political scene.