Three Egyptian officers shed their weapons

"There's still a belief that Egypt will see a peaceful transition of power but the theme of risk aversion does seem to be creeping back onto the cards ahead of the weekend break," says Chris Weston, a trader at IG Markets. 1139 GMT: correspondents report: "Demonstrators sobbed as they conducted the weekly Muslim prayers in massed ranks in Cairo's Tahrir Square." "The preacher choked up as he gave the sermon and the crowd screamed "Leave! Leave!" at each mention of the hated strongman." 1127 GMT: The story so far: Go to 's blog site to catch up on yesterday's developments as theyGMT: A protester in Tahrir Square says on BBC News: "We do not want Mubarak or Omar Suleiman. The government has lost all credibility. We call them Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" "We are extremely frustrated and angry." 1107 GMT: Protesters in Tahrir Square wave banners and shout slogans calling for Mubarak to stand down. 1104 GMT: The Middle East and the whole world waits to see what will happen in Tahrir Square. Will the crowds disperse as the army has urged? Will people march to key locations in Cairo such as the state television building or the president's palace? Crowds have already assembled in both places. 1101 GMT: A dramatic moment. History could be in the making as Friday prayers come to a close in Tahrir Square. The square is completely thronged with people as the time for the mass rallies approaches. 1056 GMT: Three Egyptian officers shed their weapons and uniforms and join hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding the immediate overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, witnesses say. "They joined the crowd, smiling, and chanted slogans calling for the fall of the regime," student Omar Gamal tells from Cairo's Tahrir Square, the focal point of the protests. 1054 GMT: "Thousands of enraged demonstrators are protesting in front of the television building," reports photographer Marco Longari. 1052 GMT: In Tahrir Square the sheikh leading the prayers faints towards the end of his sermon, but not before he called on the Rosetta Stone Latin Spanish army to "act in a way that will be acceptable to God on judgement day." 1044 GMT: Egyptian demonstrators react with fury as the military throws its weight behind President Mubarak's attempt to cling on to power despite massive nationwide protests. Protesters outside Mubarak's palace erupt angrily and one grabs an army officer's microphone to denounce the move. "You have disappointed us, all our hopes rested in you," he shouts, as the crowd begin to chant slogans calling for Mubarak to be put on trial. 1042 GMT: The BBC's Persian television service is being jammed from within Iran following coverage of the mass protests against President Hosni Mubarak's rule in Egypt, the broadcaster says. BBC Persian TV has been working with the BBC's Arabic TV service to broadcast rolling news from Egypt, and the broadcaster believes it is this coverage which has prompted the jamming which began yesterday 1040 GMT: Friday prayers are under way in Tahrir Square. 1037 GMT: The army's statement says it is committed to "safeguarding the legitimate demands of the people and will work to implement them ... for a peaceful transition of power and a free democratic society." The communique says the army will not arrest those calling for reform, but warns against any "harm to the safety and security of the nation." 1034 GMT: The army's statement asks protesters to go home and get back to work.