Egypt power transfer :

Army vows democracy

EGYPT: A day after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s military authorities have said that they will respect all international treaties.

Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces says Cairo will remain committed to all its regional and international treaties.

Experts have interpreted this as Cairo implying its peace treaty with Israel will remain intact.

The announcement, which was read by a senior officer on state TV, also pledged to hand over power to a civilian-led Government.

The developments come after Mubarak handed over the power to the council, which is headed by Defence Minister General Mohammed Tantawi.

The transition of power to the military comes while Mubarak, Vice President Omar Suleiman and Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq are all former military men.

This is while millions of Egyptians had been calling for the departure of Mubarak and the establishment of a democratic Government. PressTV

Thousands of protesters vowed to stay in Cairo’s Liberation Square until their demands are met.

Activists have demanded the release of political prisoners, the lifting of a 30-year-old state of emergency and the disbandment of military court.

They say demonstrations will continue until the army accepts the reforms.

Political groups are also calling for the formation of a government led by civilians.

However, Israel has welcomed the pledge by the Egyptian military to respect a 1979 peace treaty between Tel Aviv and Cairo.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the announcement, saying the treaty was “the cornerstone of stability in the Middle East as a whole.”

Reports say Israel has shut down its embassy in Cairo following the transfer of power from Mubarak to the military.

Israel had suspended the activities of its embassy since the start of anti-government protests 19 days ago. Cairo, Sunday, Press TV