Pro-democracy activists in Tahrir Square vowed today to stay there until the Higher Military Council now running Egypt accepts their agenda for reform.
In two communiques issued overnight, a core group of protest organisers demanded the lifting of a state of emergency used by deposed president Hosni Mubarak to crush dissent and opposition.
"People's Communique No. 1" demands the dissolution of the cabinet Mubarak appointed on January 29th and the suspension of the parliament elected in a rigged poll late last year.
The reformists want a transitional five-member presidential council made up of four civilians and one military person.
It calls for the formation of a transitional government to prepare for an election to take place within nine months, and of a body to draft a new democratic constitution.
It demands freedom for the media and syndicates, which represent groups such as lawyers, doctors and engineers, and for the formation of political parties.
Military and emergency courts must be scrapped, the communique says.
Meanwhile, the country's new military rulers said the existing cabinet would stay until a new one was formed and that Egypt would respect international treaties, a statement that will reassure Israel and the United States.
"The current government and governors undertake to manage affairs until the formation of a new government," a senior army officer said in a statement delivered on state television today.
"The Arab Republic of Egypt is committed to all regional and international obligations and treaties," he said. Egypt's treaties include a 1979 peace accord with US ally Israel, which has been watching developments in Egypt with concern.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the announcement.
"The longstanding peace treaty between Israel and Egypt has greatly contributed to both countries and is the cornerstone for peace and stability in the entire Middle East," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Egyptian information minister Anas El-Fekky was placed under house arrest today, military sources said. The sources did not give a reason. Fekky had been close to outgoing president Hosni Mubarak.
Earlier in the day, security source at Cairo airport said some officials had been banned from leaving the country without permission from the state prosecutor or the armed forces.
The authorities also shortened the hours of a curfew, setting the new time from midnight to 6am.
The curfew, which has been largely ignored, was previously set from 8pm to 6am
Agencies