Appearing on state TV, a military spokesman said the Armed Forces Supreme Council asked the current government appointed by Mubarak in his final weeks to continue operating until a new one is formed. The step appeared to be a stopgap measure to keep the state and economy functioning while a transitional administration is set up.
The spokesman, Gen. Mohsen El-Fangari, appeared on state TV in front of a row of Egyptian military and national flags and read the council statement, proclaiming respect for the rule of law — perhaps a sign that the military aims to avoid imposing martial law.
The military is "looking forward to a peaceful transition, for a free democratic system, to permit an elected civil authority to be in charge of the country, to build a democratic free nation," he said.
The military underlined Egypt's "commitment to all its international treaties," reassurance that it continues to honor the 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the military's statement, saying the treaty "has greatly contributed to both countries and is the cornerstone for peace and stability in the entire Middle East."
The military's statement had been eagerly awaited by the public, thousands of whom still massed in Cairo's central Tahrir Square. The crowds were still riding high on jubilation over the success in removing Mubarak on Friday after 18 days of unprecedented popular protests, but they promised to maintain pressure on the military to carry through long-sought reforms.
After the statement, the main opposition coalition — a loosely based grouping of youth and traditional opposition groups — said it would end its main protest in Tahrir Square but would call for weekly demonstrations after Friday prayers.
The group also listed its demands for the first time during a press conference. Those included: the lifting of hated emergency laws, the forming of a presidential council and broad-based unity government, the dissolution of Parliament and creation of a committee to amend or rewrite the constitution. They called for reforms ensuring freedom of the press, freedom to form political parties and more transparent media institutions.
The coalition also called for an investigation into allegations of endemic corruption within the regime and the trial of officials responsible for the deaths of protesters.
Some protesters not linked to the coalition said they would stay camped in Tahrir Square, and it was not immediately clear when the downtown area would be cleared.
Others welcomed the cautious first measures, despite distrust of the government put together by Mubarak as a gesture early in the wave of protests.
"It is a good thing," said Muhammed Ibrahim, a 21-year-old from the Nile Delta town of Banha who joined the crowds in Tahrir. "We don't want there to be a political void."
The military relaxed the curfew — now to run from midnight to 6 a.m. instead of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. — and the Stock Market announced plans to reopen Wednesday.
The military also banned current and ex-government officials from traveling abroad without permission. They included former Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Habib El-Adly, the widely despised former interior minister.
Meanwhile, officials of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, who met in Jeddah on Saturday, supported Egypt's decision to postpone the OIC summit scheduled for March 15 in Sharm El-Sheikh because of current developments.
