Egyptian protesters march on parliament

In Cairo, protesters marched on parliament in defiance of a televised plea from vice-president Omar Suleiman, who warned that they risked provoking a situation in which a coup d’etat was possible.

His statement was dismissed by many of the protesters and denounced as a threat by one of the most powerful of opposition groups, the Muslim Brotherhood.

“This amounts to a threat that is unacceptable in the eyes of the Egyptian people,” Mohammed Mursi, a spokesman for the Islamist group, said.

“The protesters have imposed a new legitimacy, and this legitimacy should be respected, for it cannot be threatened.”

An army general who ordered the protesters outside parliament to disperse and go back to Tahrir Square was met by chants of “we are not leaving, he is leaving”.

The frustrated general eventually asked his troops to block off the main road from the south into central Cairo which runs by the parliament.

The demonstrators have set up tents and barricades and say they will not leave until Mr Mubarak leaves office.