Showing no signs of quitting, embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has sacked his government as thousands of protesters defied curfew demandingan end to his 30-year-old rule. In a late night televised speech, 82-year-old Mubarak defended the actions of police, who had tried to clamp down the protesters by firing tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons at them. Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for three decades, asked his cabinet to resign and promised reforms. He said, he will continue with new steps which will ensure the independence of the judiciary and its rulings, and more freedom for citizens. Even as he made the announcement, thousands of protesters continued to defy curfew in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez last night and poured on the streets with many of them asking patrolling soldiers to join them. There were reports of looting in several parts of Cairo including in government offices. At least 26 people have been killed in the clashes and over hundred injured. Around 1,500 protesters have been arrested across the country since the protests broke out four days ago. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Government of Egypt to protect the rights of its citizens particularly freedoms of expression, information and assembly. US President Barack Obama spoke to Mubarak just after his address and called on Egyptian authorities to refrain from using violence against peaceful protesters. The protests for Mubarak's ouster came against the backdrop of widespread resentment over rising unemployment, food prices and corruption. The unrest comes close on the heels of an uprising in Tunisia in which Zine al Abidine Ben Ali was ousted after ruling the country for 23 years.