Thousands demonstrate but still Mubarak stays

Tens of thousands of Egyptians have taken part in a "day of departure" calling for an immediate end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

Heavy gunfire has been heard over Tahrir Square on the 11th day of demonstrations but as yet there has been no word of the president resigning.

The president has said he will remain in control until September, when he will not stand for re-election.

There are fears there might be a repeat of the violence of recent days, but the atmosphere on Friday remained relaxed. The UN estimates 300 people have died because of the unrest across Egypt since protests began on January 25th.

Meanwhile Europe's leaders delivered a warning to the Egyptian authorities to answer their people with 'political reform, not repression'.

A statement agreed at a Brussels EU summit stopped short of calling on Mr Mubarak to step aside.

Instead it challenged the regime to honour the terms of a £150 million-a-year EU "Association Agreement", under which Egypt is committed to push through political and economic reforms in return for trade concessions and financial aid.

The EU statement came as Barack Obama's administration said it was in talks with Egyptian officials about the possibility of Mr Mubarak resigning straight away, and the formation of an interim government before free and fair elections later this year.

Prime Minister David Cameron "played a significant role" in forging the summit declaration and was satisfied with the result, a Downing Street spokesman said.

However Mr Mubarak has said he wants to step down but fears that the country will fall into chaos if he does.

Speaking to US network ABC, he claimed that the country's Islamist opposition - the Muslim Brotherhood - would fill the power vacuum that would be created by his absence.