(previous news was posted at 14:35)
The Supreme Council of the Egyptian armed forces on Friday declared its support for President Hosni Mubarak's transfer of power to his vice president, which angered protesters demanding the Egyptian leader step down, RIA-News reported.
The military also promised free elections, but set no date for them, and announced a conditional offer to end emergency rule "as soon as current circumstances end."
Mubarak addressed the protest-hit nation on Thursday, giving most of his powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman, the former intelligence chief, and proposing amendments to the constitution. The speech sparked outrage among protesters on Tahrir Square in central Cairo, who had been hoping the president would resign.
The army statement on Friday also called for the country to return to work and promised not to prosecute the demonstrators that have brought normal life to a virtual standstill in the world's most populous Arab state.
Suleiman ordered Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik to appoint a deputy to take charge of holding a national dialogue with the opposition, Egypt's national television reported.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters begin gathering on Tahrir Square, with large crowds near the television center half a kilometer away. More demonstrators are expected to arrive after Friday prayers. The opposition has accused state media of biased coverage of the unrest.
The Egyptian army earlier warned it would use force against anyone attempting to provoke violence or threatening the security of the public or the state.