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31 January 2011
Last updated at 11:52 ET
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The BBC's Lyse Doucet describes the protests in Tahrir Square
Beleaguered Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has announced a new cabinet amid mounting pressure from protesters, who have gathered in Cairo again in their tens of thousands.
Interior Minister Habib al-Adly, widely despised by protesters, and the finance minister have been replaced.
However, correspondents say it is likely demonstrators will only settle for Mr Mubarak's removal from office.
Protesters have called a general strike and plan a huge march on Tuesday.
Mr Mubarak, who has been in power for 30 years, has ordered new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq to push through democratic reforms and create new jobs.
But there are few major changes in the new cabinet line-up, with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Defence Minister Gen Mohamed Hussein Tantawi - who also becomes deputy PM - both keeping their posts.
Continue reading the main story At the scene
On the seventh day of the crisis which will help define Egypt's future, the extraordinary is beginning to feel ordinary. The now familiar rhythms of a day of protest are re-establishing themselves. Demonstrators remain on Tahrir Square, their numbers fluctuating over the course of the day.
Egypt remains trapped in the pre-internet age to which government censorship has dragged it back. Military helicopters drone overhead. The role of the army remains enigmatic. Troops are on the street and military checkpoints have been playing a more assertive role in controlling traffic crossing the bridges over the Nile.
The soldiers see themselves as a force for stability and while some of their armoured vehicles are daubed with graffiti that reads "Down with Mubarak", it's also true that the very act of preserving order helps the old regime to maintain its grip on power.
The opposition is declaring a general strike and talks of bringing a million people on to the streets on Tuesday but it's far from clear that they have the coherent structure to keep sustained pressure focused on the Mubarak administration. One possible outcome remains a Hosni Mubarak who will be re-booted rather than booted out.
Mr Adly has been replaced by Mahmud Wagdi, an army general, while Samir Mohammad Radwan replaces Youssef Boutros-Ghali as finance minister. Mr Radwan said he had a "national mission at a very critical time".
The line-up confirms a purging of those behind Egypt's economic liberalisation and growth over the past few years, analysts say, and a move towards a more military cabinet.
A number of businessmen holding economic posts have been removed. Some Egyptians have resented the influence of the tycoons.
Concerns are growing about the economy after a week of protests.
Moody's Investor Services has downgraded Egypt's bond rating and changed its outlook from stable to negative, following a similar move by Fitch Ratings last week. Both cited the political crisis.
World oil prices on Monday topped $100 a barrel amid fears of the ongoing unrest.
Few of the 50,000 protesters in Tahrir Square in the centre of Cairo appeared appeased by the cabinet changes.
"We will stay until the coward leaves," the crowd chanted.
One protester, Rifat Ressat, told Agence France-Presse news agency: "We want a complete change of government, with a civilian authority."
But he did welcome the replacement of Mr Adly, who he said was "responsible for all the violence".
Another demonstrator told the BBC: "This is not a new government. This is the same regime - this is the same bluff. [President Mubarak] has been bluffing us for 30 years."
'Shift work' The BBC's Jim Muir in Cairo says the military, who cordoned off Tahrir Square with tanks, were relaxed and were letting people come and go.
There were no riot police, and our correspondent says the government is being quite clever in keeping the unpopular police force out of contact with the protesters.
Shortly after the curfew started again at 1500 local time (1300 GMT), the BBC's Lyse Doucet in Cairo said: "There is a steady stream of people going to Tahrir Square, even families with children. Others are streaming out, saying they were on the early shift."
Leaflets were being distributed to the crowds calling on the army to take the people's side and resist orders to move against them.
Some police are back in parts of Cairo, having abandoned their posts on Friday.
Amid the strike call, banks, schools, many businesses and the stock market were closed for a second day, with queues forming outside food stores.
There are reports that train services in Egypt have been halted between the curfew hours of 1500 and 0800. EgyptAir said it was cancelling all domestic and international flights between the curfew hours.
Thousands of people have also rallied in Alexandria, and there have been sizeable demonstrations in Mansoura, Damanhour and Suez.
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Israel has agreed to allow Egypt to deploy 800 more troops to the Sinai, the first such deployment since the 1979 peace deal. The troops will ring the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The "protest of the millions" march is set to go ahead on Tuesday in Cairo, with reports that Alexandria will also have a mass march.
However, there have been some signs of disagreement within the opposition, with the largest group, the Muslim Brotherhood, appearing to go back on its endorsement of leading figure Mohamed ElBaradei as a negotiator with Mr Mubarak.
A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Morsy, told the BBC: "The Muslim Brotherhood is much stronger than Mohamed ElBaradei."
The death toll from the protests so far is hard to assess but is thought to be at least 100.
Economic impact Many countries are evacuating citizens, leading to chaotic scenes at Cairo airport as air traffic becomes congested and flights are cancelled or delayed.
Tourism remains a vital sector in the Egyptian economy, accounting for about 5-6% of GDP.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, arriving at Cairo airport from the UK, says his flight was almost empty but there are thousands of people trying to leave.
The US has been evacuating diplomatic staff and citizens through Cyprus.
International pressure is growing for some kind of resolution.
US President Barack Obama and his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have talked about the need for an "orderly transition" to a democratic future for Egypt.
EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton said on Monday that the "legitimate grievances" of Egyptians should be heeded.
"Their aspirations for a just, for a better future should be met with urgent, concrete and decisive answers and with real steps," she said.
The unrest in Egypt follows the uprising in Tunisia which ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali two weeks ago after 23 years in power.
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Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.The BBC's Lyse Doucet describes the protests in Tahrir Square
Beleaguered Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has announced a new cabinet amid mounting pressure from protesters, who have gathered in Cairo again in their tens of thousands.
Interior Minister Habib al-Adly, widely despised by protesters, and the finance minister have been replaced.
However, correspondents say it is likely demonstrators will only settle for Mr Mubarak's removal from office.
Protesters have called a general strike and plan a huge march on Tuesday.
Mr Mubarak, who has been in power for 30 years, has ordered new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq to push through democratic reforms and create new jobs.
But there are few major changes in the new cabinet line-up, with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Defence Minister Gen Mohamed Hussein Tantawi - who also becomes deputy PM - both keeping their posts.
Continue reading the main story At the scene
On the seventh day of the crisis which will help define Egypt's future, the extraordinary is beginning to feel ordinary. The now familiar rhythms of a day of protest are re-establishing themselves. Demonstrators remain on Tahrir Square, their numbers fluctuating over the course of the day.
Egypt remains trapped in the pre-internet age to which government censorship has dragged it back. Military helicopters drone overhead. The role of the army remains enigmatic. Troops are on the street and military checkpoints have been playing a more assertive role in controlling traffic crossing the bridges over the Nile.
The soldiers see themselves as a force for stability and while some of their armoured vehicles are daubed with graffiti that reads "Down with Mubarak", it's also true that the very act of preserving order helps the old regime to maintain its grip on power.
The opposition is declaring a general strike and talks of bringing a million people on to the streets on Tuesday but it's far from clear that they have the coherent structure to keep sustained pressure focused on the Mubarak administration. One possible outcome remains a Hosni Mubarak who will be re-booted rather than booted out.
Mr Adly has been replaced by Mahmud Wagdi, an army general, while Samir Mohammad Radwan replaces Youssef Boutros-Ghali as finance minister. Mr Radwan said he had a "national mission at a very critical time".
The line-up confirms a purging of those behind Egypt's economic liberalisation and growth over the past few years, analysts say, and a move towards a more military cabinet.
A number of businessmen holding economic posts have been removed. Some Egyptians have resented the influence of the tycoons.
Concerns are growing about the economy after a week of protests.
Moody's Investor Services has downgraded Egypt's bond rating and changed its outlook from stable to negative, following a similar move by Fitch Ratings last week. Both cited the political crisis.
World oil prices on Monday topped $100 a barrel amid fears of the ongoing unrest.
Few of the 50,000 protesters in Tahrir Square in the centre of Cairo appeared appeased by the cabinet changes.
"We will stay until the coward leaves," the crowd chanted.
One protester, Rifat Ressat, told Agence France-Presse news agency: "We want a complete change of government, with a civilian authority."
But he did welcome the replacement of Mr Adly, who he said was "responsible for all the violence".
Another demonstrator told the BBC: "This is not a new government. This is the same regime - this is the same bluff. [President Mubarak] has been bluffing us for 30 years."
'Shift work' The BBC's Jim Muir in Cairo says the military, who cordoned off Tahrir Square with tanks, were relaxed and were letting people come and go.
There were no riot police, and our correspondent says the government is being quite clever in keeping the unpopular police force out of contact with the protesters.
Shortly after the curfew started again at 1500 local time (1300 GMT), the BBC's Lyse Doucet in Cairo said: "There is a steady stream of people going to Tahrir Square, even families with children. Others are streaming out, saying they were on the early shift."
Leaflets were being distributed to the crowds calling on the army to take the people's side and resist orders to move against them.
Some police are back in parts of Cairo, having abandoned their posts on Friday.
Amid the strike call, banks, schools, many businesses and the stock market were closed for a second day, with queues forming outside food stores.
There are reports that train services in Egypt have been halted between the curfew hours of 1500 and 0800. EgyptAir said it was cancelling all domestic and international flights between the curfew hours.
Thousands of people have also rallied in Alexandria, and there have been sizeable demonstrations in Mansoura, Damanhour and Suez.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.Israel has agreed to allow Egypt to deploy 800 more troops to the Sinai, the first such deployment since the 1979 peace deal. The troops will ring the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The "protest of the millions" march is set to go ahead on Tuesday in Cairo, with reports that Alexandria will also have a mass march.
However, there have been some signs of disagreement within the opposition, with the largest group, the Muslim Brotherhood, appearing to go back on its endorsement of leading figure Mohamed ElBaradei as a negotiator with Mr Mubarak.
A spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Morsy, told the BBC: "The Muslim Brotherhood is much stronger than Mohamed ElBaradei."
The death toll from the protests so far is hard to assess but is thought to be at least 100.
Economic impact Many countries are evacuating citizens, leading to chaotic scenes at Cairo airport as air traffic becomes congested and flights are cancelled or delayed.
Tourism remains a vital sector in the Egyptian economy, accounting for about 5-6% of GDP.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, arriving at Cairo airport from the UK, says his flight was almost empty but there are thousands of people trying to leave.
The US has been evacuating diplomatic staff and citizens through Cyprus.
International pressure is growing for some kind of resolution.
US President Barack Obama and his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have talked about the need for an "orderly transition" to a democratic future for Egypt.
EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton said on Monday that the "legitimate grievances" of Egyptians should be heeded.
"Their aspirations for a just, for a better future should be met with urgent, concrete and decisive answers and with real steps," she said.
The unrest in Egypt follows the uprising in Tunisia which ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali two weeks ago after 23 years in power.
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