EGYPT: Vice President Omar Suleiman addresses nation

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Newly appointed Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman addressed the nation Thursday soon after President Hosni Mubarak, the country’s longtime leader, announced plans on state television to hand some powers to him.

Suleiman, speaking in a nationally televised address, called on Egyptians to ‘join hands and walk together to realize the demands of the youth of Egypt,’ Al Jazeera satellite network reported.

‘Do not listen to the satellite television stations, listen only to your hearts,’ Suleiman, 74, said.

The vice president, formerly the country’s intelligence chief, added that a ‘clear roadmap has been laid down’ and that he is willing to implement ‘all the procedures I had promised in relation to the national dialogue ... to work toward restoring confidence.’

Suleiman said Egyptians would not be dragged into chaos or used as tools for sabotage, reported Reuters, and that the army had protected the ‘revolution of the youth.’

‘I call on all citizens to look forward to the future, and to make this future bright,’ Suleiman said, according to Al Jazeera, urging calm.

‘Go back to your houses, go back to your work, the homeland needs your work,’ Suleiman said, according to CNN.

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— Molly Hennessy-Fiske