Egypt: Protesters Defiant Despite Government Moves

CAIRO (AP) - Thousands of protesters are defiantly maintaining their demonstrations on a central Cairo square despite government efforts to defuse a two-week political crisis that has paralyzed the country.

Opposition leaders insist that President Hosni Mubarak must step down immediately. The government has promised reforms but says the longtime leader should stay in office until September elections.

In the latest concessions, judicial officials promised to start questioning three former ministers and a senior ruling party official on Tuesday on corruption charges. A detained Google Inc. marketing manager also is expected to be released.

Mohammed Eid, a student on Tahrir Square, says "our main objective is for Mubarak to step down. We don't accept any other concessions."