The hotels are empty

The communique says the army will not arrest those calling for reform, but warns against any "harm Rosetta Stone to the safety and security of the nation." The army's statement asks protesters to go home and get back to work. TheSupreme Council of the Armed Forces, headed by Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi, says it has agreed to "lift the emergency law as soon as the current circumstances are over" and "to hold free and fair presidential elections based on constitutional amendments." BBC saying the army has promised to repeal the state of emergency which has been in place in Egypt since 1981, the year Mubarak came to power. AFP's Daphne Benoit reports from Luxor: "The hotels are empty, souks deserted and tour guides idle. Luxor has been but a shadow of its former self since the uprising against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak started." Luxor tour guide Ebrahim Moses says: "Economically, it's serious." "Travel agents aren't working, no one is selling anything," laments Moses at the entrance of the Luxor Temple, a marvel of ancient Egyptian architecture and normally a big tourist draw. A council of Egyptian generals pledges the army will guarantee "free and fair elections," in a second communique read out on state television as anti-regime protests enter their 18th day. World oil prices climb as Rosetta Stone Software heightened tensions in Egypt fuel concerns about possible disruption to crude supplies through the Suez Canal, analysts say. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March jumps 88 cents to $101.75 a barrel. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for March, climbs 68 cents to $87.41. Egypt army to guarantee "free and fair elections" The statements in the army's "communique number two" are initially hard to interpret but AFP will bring you further details as soon as we can. It?s hard to gauge total turnout in Egypt, with so many huge demonstrations nationwide, but it seems to be on course for the biggest day of protest since the January 25 revolt began. Normally on Fridays things are quite quiet until after prayers, but this week the crowds began swelling early. The Egyptian army will act as the guarantor of reforms promised by embattled President Hosni Mubarak, military high command vows today in its "communique number two" read out on state television. "Egypt army calls for return to normal life": statement. Egypt army warns against any threat to nation's security "Egypt army to act as guarantor of Mubarak reforms": statement. Tens of thousands of protesters are gathering in Alexandria, Egypt?s second city, according to an AFP photographer at the scene. A new day of excitement and anxiety dawns over Cairo's Tahrir square after hopes surged and were then dashed last night as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced that he is continuing in office. Following 17 days of passionate but peaceful demonstrations across Egypt the stage is set for another day of high drama as crowds make their way to central Cairo, where possibly more than a million people will gather for anti-Mubarak mass protests at 1100 GMT following Rosetta Stone English Friday prayers. Another key development will come when the army's Supreme Command Council issues its Communique Number 2, which it is expected to do in the course of the day. Follow this live report for a minute-by-minute update of events as they happen.