Egypt cabinet pledges reforms to pacify protesters

Egypt's cabinet has pledged to clear out officials who held senior posts in Hosni Mubarak's era, continue with public corruption trials and press on with other reforms to pacify protesters who have turned their anger on the ruling military.

Protesters tried to march on the Defence Ministry in Cairo on Saturday, accusing the ruling generals of foot-dragging over reforms and in holding ex-officials to account. They were blocked by military police lines and stone-throwing youths.

In a statement issued to reporters, the cabinet committee charged with crisis management said it would "cast out all the ranks of the former regime from positions of responsibility in all state agencies as fast as possible".

It also stressed "the principle of public trials for all symbols of former regime and the former president and called on the court responsible to announce the procedures his trial and its location. It also urged the court to reveal his real health condition.

The Cabinnet also pledged to set a maximum wage for the higher paid officials within a month and refer new cases to trial more quickly.

REUTERS/Williams