CAIRO - President Hosni Mubarak seems willing to relinquish power after 17 days, the massive public demonstrations, which the Egyptian army said Mubarak could "meet" the demands of the demonstrators and the top U.S. intelligence official says long-term leader can step aside as soon as Thursday night.
About 6:30 in Cairo (11:30 in Washington), state television announced that Mubarak will address the nation this evening.
Testifying in Washington before the Intelligence Committee, CIA director, Leon Panetta, E. said: "There is a strong likelihood that Mubarak may resign tonight, that would be significant in terms of orderly transition, where hope takes place in Egypt."
He did not immediately elaborate.
In Cairo, remained considerable uncertainty about Egyptian military and civilian officials have made contradictory statements.
As word that a change was imminent swept Tahrir Square, the epicenter of unprecedented protest organizers warned the tens of thousands of jubilant demonstrators to remain calm and non-violence.
It is unclear whether Mubarak was preparing to go out at all, if it is issued only to certain powers, or if the military - which seemed to take the lead to announce that the change was obvious - groped to take control of the coup .
But Tahrir Square, where tens of thousands of jubilant demonstrators brigade, there was no immediate indication that the soldiers were changing their hearts, and sometimes the friendly attitude.
Soldiers mounted on carts around the place they were waving demonstrators took to the streets en masse, chanting "army and people are hand in hand."
"Hello, Mr. Mubarak. Today is your last day," cried the volume. At sunset, they were called "freedom is coming!"
Army of the Supreme Council met on Thursday, without Mubarak, his commander, to investigate "the measures and arrangements can be made to safeguard the nation, its achievements and aspirations of its great people," the spokesman said the 'broadcaster status.
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