Egyptian army officer who has joined the protesters said 15 other middle-ranking officers had also gone over to the demonstrators

The Egyptian army pledged that the country's emergency law will be lifted, but only "as soon as current circumstances end".

The promise was made as part of the Armed Forces Supreme Council's response to the mass protests which are intensifying after President Hosni Mubarak's latest refusal to step down.

In a statement read out on national television, the army leaders also pledged to support work towards peaceful transition of power, in the light of Mubarak handing over some powers to Omar Suleiman, the vice-president.

The third point made was that "the honest men who called for an end to corruption and for reform" will not be prosecuted.

The army generals also asked protesters -- who for 18 straight days have been calling for Mubarak to immediately stand down after three decades in power -- to go home and get back to work. The communiqué stressed it would not arrest those calling for reform, but warned against any "harm to the safety and security of the nation."

Meanwhile on Friday, an Egyptian army officer who has joined the protesters said 15 other middle-ranking officers had also gone over to the demonstrators.

"The armed forces' solidarity movement with the people has begun," Major Ahmed Ali Shouman told Reuters news agency. "Our goals and the people's are one." Shouman said the officers would address the crowd after Friday midday prayers.