Tens of thousands of Egyptians defied military orders to go home and have started marching towards embattled Presidnet Hosni Mubarak's palace in capital Cairo to further pressurise him to step down. According to an AP report, as soon as Friday prayers were over protestors started their march.The Speaker of Egypt's state-backed Al Azhar Mosque also resigned and joined the protesters in Tahrir Square who have been chanting “change, strength, nationalism, and justice”.Most of the protestors carried the Egyptian flag and were also singing the National Anthem. The Friday deadline is being called the “Day of Departure” by anti-Mubarak protestors.They laid a siege to Cairo's Tahrir square clamouring for immediate ouster of embattled President Hosni Mubarak.Amid reports that the US is trying to broker a deal for a transitional government in Egypt headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman, massive crowds thronged the Central Square which is the hub of unrelenting 11-day protests that have claimed over 300 lives.State TV called it the “day of allegiance” to the President. Pro-Mubarak protestors are also on the streets but not allowed to visit the Tehrir Square.Armed security personnel and ringed by armoured vehicles are keeping a close vigil on the people.82-year-old Mubarak has ruled the country since 1981. Egyptian Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, who is also Deputy Premier, along with top army officials visited the Square to assess the situation.Protest organisers had set the deadline for the President to quit today, but he refused to bow to the pressure.In an interview to ABC News, his first since the revolt began last week, Mubarak said he is fed up and wants to quit but fears that the nation will sink in chaos if he steps down at this stage.He said he could have fled the country like other Presidents did but he refused to do so. He said he is present in the presidential palace with his son Gamal.