February 2, 2011 2:16 PM

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Egyptian President says he will not stand for re-election in September

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has announced that he will not stand for re-election in September. Speaking on state TV, he promised constitutional reform and said he wanted to stay until the end of his current presidential term. Mr. Mubarak added that his first responsibility is now to bring security and stability to the nation to ensure a peaceful transition of power. US President Barack Obama said that Egypt's orderly transition must begin now. He said the US would be happy to offer assistance to Egypt during that process.However, a committee of Egyptian opposition groups, which includes ElBaradei and the Muslim Brotherhood earlier, pledged in a statement that there would be no negotiations with the regime until Mubarak leaves. ElBaradei told Al-Arabiya channel that Mubarak should leave by Friday adding that they are going to turn the page and they can pardon the past.Meanwhile a large number of people gathered at Tahrir Square in Cairo and other cities in huge rallies calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. In second city Alexandria, pro-Mubarak demonstrators clashed with demonstrators. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has said that unconfirmed reports suggest that as many as 300 people may have been killed so far, over 3,000 injured and hundreds arrested during ongoing unrest. She called on the country’s authorities to heed the demands of the people for democratic reform and respect for human rights. Amid chaos and lawlessness, several foreign governments are evacuating their nationals. Two batches of Indian nationals consisting of more than 500 people have already reached India and Indian Embassy has set up 24 hours hotline to help Indians in Egypt. The numbers are 0020227360556, 0020227356168 and 0020227360052. The MEA has already issued a travel advisory asking Indians to avoid non-essential travel to Egypt.

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