Opposition says Mubarak must go

Egyptians rally at Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo on February 1, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163096.html

Main opposition groups in Egypt have rejected to negotiate with embattled President Hosni Mubarak, calling on him to step down as anti-government protests gain momentum.

Earlier, Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman said the government is seeking dialog with all political parties.

Egypt's main opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood, says Mubarak must leave the country before any talks with the government. It has also urged the United States to stop supporting Mubarak.

The group says Washington's approach toward the Egyptian uprising will be decisive for the future of bilateral relations.

Also, Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei says Mubarak should step down by Friday, stressing that Egyptians have marked Friday as departure day for the president.

"There can be dialogue but it has to come after the demands of the people are met and the first of those is that President Mubarak leaves," he said.

Fifty Egyptian human rights groups have also called on Mubarak, the authoritarian President who has ruled the country for 30 years, to relinquish power and avoid further blood-shed.

This comes as large crowds of people are flooding out of their homes to join the anti-government protests on its eighth straight day. The demonstrators have only one demand - Mubarak's resignation.

In the capital Cairo, the protesters are gathering around Tahrir Square for a march of millions. Thousands have spent the night at the square despite a curfew.

The protesters, who have vowed to storm the presidential palace within coming days, have tried and executed President Hosni effigy in a symbolic move.

Meanwhile, some reports say Mubarak is hiding in his palace in Sharm el-Sheik.

Tanks and troops have been stationed along the route of the march, although the army has promised not to use force against the demonstrators.

Tens of thousands have also taken to the streets in Alexandria.

Clashes between police and protesters have claimed around 300 lives so far in the ongoing uprising against the beleaguered establishment over the past week.