Egypt standoff continues as protesters defy curfew

BBC News - Egypt standoff continues as protesters defy curfew: "Police have been ordered back on to the streets of Cairo, as tens of thousands of people gather in central Cairo for a seventh day of protest.

The demonstrators have called for a general strike on Monday, and are holding prayers in honour of those killed in the unrest.

Protesters want President Hosni Mubarak to step down after 30 years in power.

The president has ordered his new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq to push through political reforms.

Egyptian state television read out a letter he had sent to Mr Shafiq, in which the president speaks of the need to make progress towards constitutional and legislative reform through a dialogue with political parties.

He also calls for economic policies that give the highest concern to people's suffering and bring down unemployment by creating new jobs.

Correspondents say all the signs continue to suggest that the only change the protesters will settle for is Mr Mubarak's removal from office."

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