In a statement on Egyptian state television, the military promised to hand over power to an elected civilian administration
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Egypt army vows civilian handover
Egypt's military authorities have pledged to oversee a transition to civilian rule, a day after the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
In a statement read out on state TV, they said they had asked the current government to stay on until a new one was formed.
The military also reaffirmed the country's commitment to all its international treaties.
The United States and Israel have welcomed the military's moves.
US President Barack Obama said he "welcomed the historic change that has been made by the Egyptian people".
He also "welcomed the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' announcement today that it is committed to a democratic civilian transition, and will stand by Egypt's international obligations," a statement released by the White House said.
The announcement, which was read by a senior officer on state TV, implicitly confirms that the country's 1979 peace treaty with Israel will remain intact.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also welcomed the announcement, saying the treaty was a cornerstone of Middle East stability.
Analysis
The military has been at the centre of power in Egypt since 1952 when it removed the king, who was supported by Britain. Every president since then has been from the armed forces.
The military in Egypt does not just concentrate on national defence, it has a wide range of business interests. Its bakeries, for example, were used by President Mubarak to provide bread after protests against high food prices.
The demonstrators who overthrew the president expect the armed forces to make sure the old system is dismantled, but the system suits the military very well and that is a potential problem.
In Tahrir Square, the protestor declared they're confident the army will supervise the transition to democracy. They have the intoxicating new feeling that their opinions matter and that they can change things they don't like.
So in between cleaning up the square today, some said that if the army did not take the country in the direction they wanted, they'd go back on the streets.
"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," he said.
Meanwhile the authorities have banned three senior officials close to Mr Mubarak from foreign travel.
The three are former Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adli and current
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