Mubarak Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection; Protesters Remain Defiant

In the latest chapter of the upheaval in Egypt, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced Tuesday evening he would "not stand for the next election" in the fall and vowed during the remaining eight months of his term, "to work very hard to carry out the necessary measures to transfer power."

Mubarak made the announcement during a pre-recorded address on Egyptian state television following protests calling for his immediate ouster that have choked the streets for eight days.

Though he acknowledged the widespread demonstrations against his government as "critical events and difficult tests," Mubarak remained defiant, citing his record of service in the country's military and remarking that "history will judge me," according to one translation.

The 82-year-old president, who has run the nation for three decades, said the ongoing demonstrations have forced Egyptians to choose "between chaos and stability, and brings in front of us new circumstances and a different Egyptian reality, which our people and our army must deal with in the most wise of way in order to protect Egypt's interests and its children."

He said he has "initiated the formation of a new government with new priorities and initiatives which will respond to our young people's demands and their anxieties."

It is unclear if Mubarak's promise not to run again would be enough to placate the demonstrators. Televised news reports featured protesters greeting the news with boos and shouts of "Go away!" and "Not enough!" It was also not clear who might step in to fill the vacuum of leadership once Mubarak leaves office.

Earlier Tuesday President Barack Obama urged the Egyptian leader not to run for another term, "effectively withdrawing American support for its closest Arab ally," The New York Times reported, citing U.S. diplomats in Cairo and Washington.

The message was delivered by former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Frank Wisner, who was dispatched by the State Department Monday to help Egyptian officials plan elections for fall.

The diplomats told the Times that Wisner did not demand Mubarak step down immediately, but delivered "firm counsel that he should make way for a reform process" that ends with a national vote in September.