Egyptian military rejects calls to step down

Egypt’s military rulers rejected protesters’ demands for them to step down immediately and said they would start the first round of parliamentary elections on time next week, despite serious unrest in Cairo and other cities.

The ruling military council insisted it was not the same as the old regime it replaced, but the generals appear to be on much the same path that doomed Hosni Mubarak nine months ago – responding to the current crisis by delivering speeches seen as arrogant, mixing concessions with threats and using brutal force.