Egypt military rulers reject calls to step down

Egypt's military rulers have rejected protester demands for them to step down immediately and say they would start the first round of parliamentary elections on time next week, despite serious unrest in Cairo and other cities.

The ruling military council insisted it is not the same as the old regime it replaced, but the generals appear to be on much the same path that doomed Hosni Mubarak nine months ago - responding to the current crisis by delivering speeches seen as arrogant, mixing concessions with threats and using brutal force. (AP)