Updated at: 0329 PST, Wednesday, February 02, 2011
 WASHINGTON: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's pledge Tuesday that he would not stand for re-election in September is "significant," but it may not satisfy the demands of protestors, a US official told media.
"The president's announcement is significant, but the question is whether it will satisfy the demands of the people in Liberation Square," the official told media on condition of anonymity, referring to Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of massive anti-Mubarak protests for eight straight days.
Mubarak earlier announced he would not seek re-election in September but rejected demands brought by a million protesters around the country that he quit immediately.
"What's clear is that this is a movement that is gaining momentum, it's not going to go away. And it's not likely to be enough," the US official added.
"The message was that his time in office was coming to an end. The question is whether he leaves now or leaves later, but our message simply was that you've got to recognize what your people are telling you.
"What's happened today shows that there's some recognition but the real question is will they (protesters) demand more, and it's entirely possible they will."
Mubarak's announcement in a televised address to the nation drew angry jeers from demonstrators who again defied a curfew to spend the night in Tahrir Square.
His insistence that he would remain at the helm to oversee the transition also fell far short of the demands of opposition groups that have set him a Friday deadline to quit to allow a clear break with his 30-year rule. |
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