Egypt's Mubarak appoints vice president

Beleaguered Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, facing nationwide protests seeking his resignation, today announced the appointment of intelligence chief and confidante Omar Suleiman as vice president, official news agency said.

Mubarak, who was earlier vice president before becoming president in 1981, has so far avoided appointing a deputy.

The president made the announcement after a crisis meeting with senior officials at the presidency, television reports said today.

The move comes after thousands staged protests across the country - in Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia, Suez, Damnhour, and Beheira as also various other parts of the country.

Thousands of protestors gathered around the capital's main Tahrir square insisting that they will not leave until President Hosni Mubarak steps down.

The government has deployed army armored vehicles and an Al Jazera report said at least three people were killed when police fired shots at demonstrators in Cairo.