Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmad Shafik said Friday that the majority of Egyptian citizens would like Mubarak to leave in a dignified manner, hinting at the impossibility of meeting protesters' calls for Mubarak's resignation and quick departure.
In a statement to Al-Hurra satellite channel, Shafik promised that his government would continue to invite opposition forces to engage in dialogue in order to solve the political crisis that has befallen Egypt. Shafik said that the great majority of Egyptian citizens want the president to exit with dignity.
"The truth, to be very clear, is that if it were possible to hold a general vote regarding demands to have Mubarak leave now, 90 or 95 percent of Egyptians would say that it is all a matter of five months."
Shafik hinted at the possibility of allowing pro-Mubarak protests to take place. "Preparing for protests is possible…to ask the president not to depart today, but rather to leave when his presidential term is over."
"It is possible to find twice as many people who believe in a more dignified exit," added Shafik.
Shaifk pointed out that dialogue is now underway with some opposition forces with the purpose of arriving at a solution.
"Dialogue means a kind of understanding to arrive at a deal between those at the negotiating table," said Shafik. "Everything is up for an understanding between the parties involved." All of the Egyptian public's demands will be fully met, he added.
Shafik's statements come amid large protests in all of Egypt's cities calling for Mubarak's departure on Friday.
Pro-democracy advocate Mohammed ElBaradei rejected the possibility of accepting Mubarak's staying in office until the end of his term, renewing his call for Mubarak's departure and the formation of a transitional government.
