BBC live coverage of Egypt unrest

Live coverage from BBC

16h06: The BBC's Paul Adams in Tahrir Square says there are many people in the square who will not believe Mubarak has gone until they have heard him confirming that he has stepped down.

16h05: Jose Maria Magrina, from New Cairo, writes: "In my area there's a very tense calm. I have already received some texts from those taking part in the demonstrations saying 'the game is over'. There is a general wisdespread rumour in the streets that Mubarak will leave today."

16h04: Deena Adil in Egypt tweets: "Holy canoli. Is this real? Did we win? I have the hiccups, that's how excited I am. I hope this is real."

16h02: Egyptian blogger Sandmonkey tweets: "Thousands are heading to Tahrir carrying flags :)."

16h00: The head of the CIA says there is a strong likelihood that Mr Mubarak will stand down tonight, Reuters reports.

15h59: Here's the full text of that army council meeting: "In the name of God, Statement No 1, issued by the Higher Council of the Armed Forces, stemming from the armed forces' responsibility and committing to the protection of the people, safeguarding their interest and security, and keen on the safety of the homeland, the citizens and the achievements of the great Egyptian people, and asserting the legitimate rights of the people, the Higher Council of the Armed Forces convened today, Thursday 10 February 2011, to deliberate on the latest developments of the situation and decided to remain in continuous session to discuss what measures and arrangements could be taken to safeguard the homeland and its achievements, and the aspirations of the great Egyptian people. Peace, mercy and the blessings of God."

15h57: A government official tells Reuters: "A decision about the president staying or leaving is coming within hours."

15h56: Beleidy in Cairo tweets: "Mubarak giving all powers to Omar Suleiman doesn't mean anything if it happens, it's still the same system."

15h55: Mayada Eid, from Cairo, writes: "We just hope that both parties leave: President Mubarak and the protesters to leave Tahrir Square! We need to start reform asap." Have Your Say

15h52: The BBC's Lyse Doucet in Cairo says: "The army are not moving against President Mubarak, at least visibly yet, but they also did not want to be seen to move against their people, because they have a continuing role to play here. We've known from the beginning the army would play a pivotal role, and that is being confirmed tonight in Cairo."

15h51: Asmaa Hannaf, from Egypt, writes: "Not only must Mubarak step down but also all the main figures of his party. We will accept nothing less than that."

15h49: onWave tweets: "A Google guy used Facebook to bring down a dictator. This should be an interesting decade."

15h47: More detail on the high-level military meeting (see entry at 1536): Senior military officials tell state TV that Mr Mubarak was supposed be chairing the meeting, but it will now be chaired by Defence Minister General Mohammed Hussein Tantawi.

15h45: Wael Gonhim, the Google executive who has had a prominent role in the protests, tweets: "Mission accomplished. Thanks to all the brave young Egyptians."

15h44: Eyewitnesses in Tahrir Square tell BBC Arabic that an army general has just stood on the stage that the protesters built there, and assured the crowds that all their demands will be accepted.

15h43: BBC's Lyse Doucet says reports she has been getting from some opposition negotiators is that Omar Suleiman is not acting in good faith, is still acting in a paternalistic fashion, and is still not getting the message that the protesters want a different kind of politics.

15h40: As expected, protesters are already looking past Mr Mubarak to the future of the government. Activist Gigi Ibrahim, in Tahrir Square, tells the BBC that Mr Mubarak stepping down would be a huge success for the movement, but it would be meaningless if he installs a leader to take over from him.

15h37: Huge cheer in Cairo's Tahrir Square, the centre of the protest movement, where news of an imminent announcement is filtering through.

15h36: AFP news agency reports that the army's supreme council is meeting without President Mubarak. In a statement, they said they would take "necessary measures to protect the nation and support the legitimate demands of the people".

15h33: Ashraf Khalil, a freelance journalist in Cairo tweets: "Like in Tunisia, the protesters want not just the departure of Mubarak, but the dismantling of his party and system."

15h32: Reuters reports that army commander Hassan al-Roweny has addressed told protesters in Tahrir Square "Everything you want will be realised"

15h32: The BBC's Paul Adams in Cairo says for the past hour the internet has been alive with talk of the possibility that Mr Mubarak will relinquish his control over the army, or make a statement to the nation.

15h28: Translation of the key question in the BBC's interview with Prime Minister Shafiq. BBC Arabic interviewer asks: "Wasn't the protesters' message clear for President Mubarak to step down and pass his responsibilities to Vice President Omar Suleiman." Ahmed Shafiq replies: "What you say is being discussed now. Whether it is positive or negative, this will be clarified soon."

15h23: Channel 4 international editor Lindsey Hilsum tweets: "Dr Hossam Badrawi told me in 3 mtgs yday and phone call 2day he convinced President Mubarak to pass powers to VP Suleiman."

15h22: Hossam Badrawi, secretary general of the ruling NDP, tells the BBC that Mr Mubarak will "probably" address the nation tonight, and he says he hopes Mr Mubarak will hand over power to Vice-President Omar Suleiman.

URL du live: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698