Egyptian vice president Omar Suleiman said tonight that president Hosni Mubarak has asked him to start dialogue with all political forces.
Mr Suleiman said this would include talks on constitutional and legislative reforms, one of the key demands voiced by anti-Mubarak protesters who have flooded into Egypt's cities.
The constitutional amendments include easing restrictions on those who are eligible to stand in presidential election.
"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," Mr Suleiman said in a televised address.
Constitutional amendments are key demands by Egyptian opposition groups and protesters who have staged rallies since last week in Cairo and other cities to press Mr Mubarak to step down after a 30-year rule.
Earlier,the Egyptian army said it would not use force against individuals staging protests demanding Mr Mubarak step down.
The army said "freedom of expression" was guaranteed to all citizens using peaceful means. It was the first such explicit confirmation by the army that it would not fire at demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Egypt since last week to try to force Mr Mubarak to quit.
"The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and wellbeing. The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people," the army said in a statement.
"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."
It urged people not resort to acts of sabotage that violate security and destroy public and private property. It warned that it would not allow outlaws and to loot, attack and "terrorise citizens"
Mr Mubarak appointed a new interior minister today as part of a revamped cabinet designed to defuse the most serious challenge to his rule in three decades.
But it was not immediately clear if the line-up, which now includes three former senior officers at the top, and promises of reform would be enough to mollify opposition groups and protesters calling for Mr Mubarak and the old guard to step down.
As the unprecedented unrest in the Arab world's most populous country entered a seventh day, thousands of protesters poured into Cairo's Tahrir Square chanting "Get out ... We want you out" and singing Egypt's national anthem.
World leaders were trying to figure out how to respond to a crisis that threatens to tear up the Middle East political map. In global markets, share prices fell across Asia on Monday and Brent oil hit a 28-month high.
The protests broke out last week when frustration over repression, corruption and the lack of democracy under Mr Mubarak's 30-year-rule boiled over. More than 130 people were killed in clashes with security forces in scenes that overturned Egypt's standing as a stable country, promising emerging market and attractive tourist destination.
Mr Mubarak, a close US ally and a stalwart in Western policy towards the Middle East, responded by offering economic reform to address public anger over hardships. The army now appears to hold the key to his fate. Although the generals have held back from crushing the revolt, they have also not withdrawn support for Mr Mubarak.
Mr Mubarak today named General Mahmoud Wagdy, previously head of Cairo criminal investigations department, as the new interior minister, sources said.
His predecessor was reviled by many Egyptians because of the repressive tactics used by the police force to quash the opposition and criticism of the president.
The anti-Mubarak movement called a mass protest tomorrow and predicted says one million people could take to the streets.
The United States, which has poured billions of dollars of aid into Egypt since Mr Mubarak came to power, stopped short of saying openly that it wanted him out. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton instead urged reform and spoke about "an orderly transition".
Washington has long seen Mr Mubarak as a bulwark in the Middle East, first against communism then against militant Islam. As the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, it plays a key part in the peace process, and a change in administration could have big implications for those efforts.
The crisis in Egypt follows a revolt that toppled the leader of Tunisia three weeks ago and the wave of popular anger is also sweeping other countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Syria's president Bashar al-Assad said there was no chance the upheaval might spread to Syria, which has been controlled by his Baath Party for the last five decades.
Foreign governments scrambled to ensure the safety of their nationals trapped by the unrest. One group of tourists was hunkered down in the Marriott Hotel in the Egyptian capital waiting to be taken to the airport. "I had heard a lot about Egypt's history and the pyramids so I am very disappointed I cannot see all that, but I just want to get out," said Albert So, an accountant from Hong Kong.
Around 150 people have been rounded up in the city of Suez in recent days for looting, a military source said. The streets of the industrial port city were relatively quiet today and an official said the Suez Canal is working as normal.
While the army has sought to stop lawlessness, there is no sign it is willing to drive the protesters off the street. Admiral Mike Mullen, the highest-ranking US military officer, praised the "professionalism" of Egypt's armed forces as its troops refrained from a crackdown on protesters. Egypt receives about $1.3 billion a year in US military aid.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has advised against all travel to Egypt. Those who are in the country are advised to exercise extreme caution and to avoid all demonstrations. Hotels and tour organisers should be in a position to advise of any demonstration.
Cairo airport remains open, but with some disruptions. Intending passengers should contact their airline before going to the airport.
Agencies