Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he had asked the Cabinet to submit its resignation in his first appearance on television since protests erupted demanding his ouster.
According to him, he will press ahead with social, economic and political reforms. He called anti-government protests part of plot to destabilize Egypt and destroy the legitimacy of his regime.
Meanwhile, thousands in Cairo defied a curfew and were trying to storm two major government buildings - the state TV headquarters and the Foreign Ministry. Others were praying on the streets after nightfall.
The ruling party headquarters in Cairo was ablaze and hundreds were looting television sets and electric fans from the burning complex of buildings. In addition, flames rose up across a number of cities from burning tires and police cars.
