The stand-off between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and tens of thousands of protesters has continued in Cairo and other major cities, with no major clashes being reported overnight.
The army appeared to have beefed up its presence but was not intervening. The police appeared to be making a return in some areas but there was lawlessness in most of the country and many cases of looting. The curfew was extended by an hour to start from 3 p.m. although it is being largely ignored.
State radio reported that Mubarak had called on the new government to urgently bring about social reform and stamp out corruption.
But the protesters were unimpressed and this morning organisers called for a "million man march" tomorrow in Cairo to mark one week since the start of the biggest anti-government protests in three decades.
Egypt's most prominent democracy advocate, Nobel Peace laureate Mohammed ElBaradei, joined the protests yesterday and called for President Hosni Mubarak to resign, speaking to thousands of protesters who defied a curfew for a third night.
Fighter jets streaked low overhead in Cairo yesterday afternoon, raising tensions but also leading to more protesters taking the streets.
"You are the owners of this revolution. You are the future," Mr ElBaradei told the crowd after nightfall.
"Our essential demand is the departure of the regime and the beginning of a new Egypt in which every Egyptian lives in virtue, freedom and dignity."
In a further sign of Mr Mubarak's teetering position after three decades in power, his top ally - the United States - called for an "orderly transition to democracy".
Asked if Washington supports Mr Mubarak as Egypt's leader, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton avoided a direct answer, telling Fox News: "We have been very clear that we want to see a transition to democracy, and we want to see the kind of steps taken that will bring that about."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the Egyptian government to implement democratic reforms and stop violence against protesters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet that he was "anxiously following" the crisis, saying Israel's three-decade-old peace agreement with Egypt must be preserved.
Protesters have shrugged off Mr Mubarak's gestures of reform, including the sacking of his Cabinet and the appointment of a vice president and a new prime minister - both seen as figures from the heart of his regime.
Mr ElBaradei, the former head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency, has gained a following among young secular democracy activists with his grassroots organising.
But some demonstrators dismiss him as an expatriate long removed from Egypt's problems.
"Many people feel he loves prizes and travelling abroad," said Muhammad Munir, 27. "He's not really one of the people."
The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, which wants to establish an Islamist state in Egypt, has made some statements that it was willing to let Mr ElBaradei act as point man for the movement.
But it also appeared to be moving for a more prominent role after lying low when the protests first erupted.
Yesterday evening, the presence of overtly pious Muslims in the square was conspicuous, suggesting a significant Brotherhood representation.
Hundreds performed the sunset prayers. Veiled women prayed separately.
A senior Brotherhood leader, Essam el-Erian, said he was heading to Tahrir Square to meet with other opposition leaders.
Mr El-Erian told an Egyptian TV station that the Brotherhood is ready to contact the army for a dialogue, calling the military "the protector of the nation".