Egyptians ready for "day of departure"
Protesters in the Egyptian capital Cairo are gathering to stage a "day of departure" for President Hosni Mubarak.
Tens of thousands are expected in Tahrir Square amid an increased army presence, after days of unrest that has led to hundreds of casualties.
Mr Mubarak is under increasing pressure to resign, with the US now calling for an immediate transition of power.
He says such a move would leave Egypt in chaos, but has admitted he is "fed up" with being in power.
In his first interview since anti-government protests began, he told ABC News he would like to resign immediately.
But he repeated his long-held assertion that the country's Islamist opposition - the Muslim Brotherhood - would fill the power vacuum left by his absence.
The protest organisers are demanding that he leave immediately.
They have been angered further by the emergence in recent days of pro-Mubarak gangs - many suspected to be plain clothes police - who have attacked anti-government protesters.
The protesters want tens of thousands of people to gather in the capital after Friday prayers to put the "last nail in the regime's coffin".
Correspondents also say there are many more tanks and soldiers out on the streets of second city Alexandria than before.
Egypt's health ministry says eight people have been killed and more than 800 injured in the clashes, but the UN estimates that more than 300 people have died since the unrest broke out on 25 January, with about 4,000 hurt.
'Meaningful transition'
Egypt's Vice-President Omar Suleiman has appealed for calm and urged the protesters to accept Mr Mubarak's pledge that he will not stand for election again.
But it has now emerged that the White House has been in talks with Mr Suleiman about how Egypt can begin making a "meaningful transition" to a democratic government that addresses the aspirations of the Egyptian people.
US Vice-President Joe Biden spoke to his Egyptian counterpart on Thursday, say diplomats, a day after Mr Suleiman had similar talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The New York Times suggested that among the proposals was a plan for Mr Mubarak to resign immediately and hand power to a military-backed interim government under Mr Suleiman.
Neither the White House nor the state department have directly denied the report.
But a spokesman for the President Barack Obama's National Security Council said it was "time to begin a peaceful, orderly and meaningful transition, with credible, inclusive negotiations".
"We have discussed with the Egyptians a variety of different ways to move that process forward, but all of those decisions must be made by the Egyptian people," said Tommy Vietor.
The BBC's Mark Mardell in Washington says other reports suggest the US plan has already been rebuffed in Egypt, and that the administration has been surprised by the attitude of the military and Mr Suleiman.
The reports say officials believe Mr Suleiman was aware of the apparent campaign in recent days to intimidate the opposition, and are now wondering whether he is the right man to lead an interim government, says our correspondent.
'Outrageous' violence
The crisis in Egypt has intensified in recent days as supporters of Mr Mubarak have begun attacking protesters in the capital.
Stones were thrown on both sides, and there were reports of gunfire, while footage has emerged of vehicles being driven at speed through crowds of protesters.
Full story at : Egypt set for 'Day of Departure'
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