Egypt’s armed forces on Thursday said that they had begun to take “measures to protect the nation,” suggesting the military intends to take a leading role.

....The military declared on state television that it would take measures “to maintain the homeland and the achievements and the aspirations of the great people of Egypt”.

Several government officials said Mr. Mubarak is expected to announce his own resignation and pass authority to his hand-picked vice president, Omar Suleiman. If the military does assume formal control of the government, it remains uncertain if it would give Mr. Suleiman, a former military officer, a leading role.

State television said in a bulletin that Mr. Mubarak would make a statement tonight. The news anchor stumbled on her words as she said Mr. Mubarak would speak “live on air from the presidential palace.” Footage just before then had showed the president meeting with Mr. Suleiman and the country’s prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq, in an apparent effort to project an image of an orderly transition.

However, state TV said that the country’s information minister, Anas El Fekky, had denied that Mr. Mubarak would step down, raising the possibility that he could hand over power but stay on in a ceremonial role....

Mubarak to Speak; Army Takes New Role, NYT 11 minutes ago