Buckling under pressure, embattled Egyptian President, Mr Hosni Mubarak, on Tuesday agreed to quit office by September on completion of his term, an offer which was rejected by protesters who said he had till Friday to leave.

A defiant Mubarak went on television to announce that he would not contest the September presidential election, but would not step down immediately, an offer which failed to calm public fury as clashes erupted between his supporters and opponents in major cities.

“I say in all honesty and regardless of the current situation, that I did not intend to nominate myself for a new presidential term,” an unfazed Mr Mubarak said.

Mr Mubarak made his promise after heavy pressure from his strongest ally — the US.

His address beamed over giant TV screens on the Tahrir Square — the hub of anti-government protests in heart of Cairo — was greeted by boos and jeers by the mammoth crowd who chanted “Go Go Go Now Mubarak.”

In his 10-minute address, 82-year-old Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt uninterrupted for three decades, said he would not flee the country. “I will die on Egyptian soil,” he said.

The President said he would serve the remaining part of his term to accomplish necessary steps for peaceful transfer of power and carry out amendments to the rules of Presidential elections.

Mr Mubarak spoke to the US President, Mr Barack Obama, for 30 minutes prior to his going on air.

In what appeared to be a snub to Mr Mubarak’s plan to cling to power, Mr Obama called for immediate beginning of an orderly transition in Egypt.

The protest leaders immediately rejected Mr Mubarak’s offer and served him an ultimatum to quit before Friday.

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