Egypt's 'final push' protests begin
Protesters flood Tahrir Square, for 'Day of Departure' against a president who has said he is ready to go but not yet.
Last Modified: 04 Feb 2011 10:07 GMT
The government has called opposition parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood, for talks. [AFP]
Chants urging President Hosni Mubarak to leave are reverberating across Cairo's Tahrir Square, Egypt's protest epicentre, where thousands have gathered for what they said was the the "Day of Departure".
As the country entered its eleventh day of unrest, mass demonstrations commenced after Friday prayers.
"The feel here is that today is the final day for Mubarak, it's time for him to go," Gigi Ibrahim, a political activist told Al Jazeera from Tahrir Square.
"This whole process has been about who is more determined and who is not willing to give up. And everyday [the protesters] get more and more determined," Ibrahim said.
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's defence minister, also visited the square earlier on Friday. He talked with the protesters along with some military commanders.
Earlier, Ahmed Shafiq, Egypt's new prime minister, said the interior minister should not obstruct Friday's peaceful marches. And Mubarak, on his part said "he wanted to leave office, but feared there will be chaos if he did".
Speaking to America's ABC television he said, "I am fed up. After 62 years in public service, I have had enough. I want to go." But he added: "If I resign today, there will be chaos."
Mubarak's government has struggled to regain control of a nation angry about poverty, recession and political repression, inviting the Muslim Brotherhood - Egypt's most organised opposition movement - to talks and apologising for Wednesday's bloodshed in Cairo.
Al Jazeera update