Mubarak unlikely to give power to VP: Egypt's PM
Says "we need the president for legislative reasons"
Egypt's prime minister said on Friday that it was unlikely the president would hand presidential powers to his newly appointed deputy, Al Arabiya reported.
The United States has called for an orderly transition of power in Egypt now after hundreds of thousands of protesters have convulsed the country demanding President Hosni Mubarak step down.
"We need the president for legislative reasons," Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq told Al Arabiya in an exclusive interview. "His presence is important for the country's security."
Mubarak appointed a vice president, Omar Suleiman, for the first time in his 30-year rule in the wake of the protests.
Asked about keeping a number of ministers from the previous government, Shafiq said that "there is no logic in making a 100% change in the government."
"Investigation is currently underway over the corruption of some businessmen who were ministers in the former government and that's why their assets are currently under freeze and they are banned from leaving the country pending probe," he said.
"We have decided not to include any businessmen in the new government. There is only one businessman in the current government. We are in need for his position now, but we might change him shortly," added the Egyptian prime minister.
Asked about the protesters and their fear that they might be arrested once they leave their positions at Tahrir square, the PM said that the government is committed not to crackdown on them.
"I admit there was a mistake that caused the clashes between anti-government protesters and Mubarak supporters last Wednesday. We are currently investigating the issue and all those who are responsible will be punishes," he vowed.
Shafiq reiterated government commitments that demonstrators would not be forced to leave Tahrir Square.
He stressed that demonstrators were free to remain in Tahrir Square and that no one would be arrested for participating in the protests so long as they had not committed act of violence or vandalism."