Police and protesters demanding that Egypt’s ruling military council step down are observing a truce after five days of deadly street battles in which at least 40 people died.

International criticism of Egypt’s military rulers mounted today as police clashed for a fifth day with protesters demanding the generals relinquish power immediately.

EGYPT’S ruling generals offered last night to transfer power to a civilian president by July in a dramatic attempt to placate protesters and defuse a political crisis that has jolted plans for the country’s first free election in decades.