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Cairo, Egypt (NewsBahn) – Only hours after the entire Egyptian cabinet resigned on command, President Hosni Mubarak named his first-ever vice president and a new prime minister in what was seen by some as a signal he may be edging toward an exit from the job he has held with an iron fist for 30 years.

Mubarak named intelligence chief Omar Suleiman his deputy, a position that has never before existed. Ahmed Shafik, the aviation minister, was named prime minister. He will have the responsibility to form a new government.

Although Mubarak, 82, has been grooming his son Gamal to take over, Suleiman was also considered a strong possible successor. He has a diplomatic background, having been a central figure in sensitive foreign policy issues including the Palestinian-Israel peace process.

Appointment of the two former military officers was viewed by some observers as Mubarak seeking the approval of the country’s armed forces, which have always played a pivotal role in the government.

The military has shown a friendly side to the protestors, even as the demonstrators violated a government-imposed curfew Friday night. Soldiers were seen mingling with demonstrators and some tanks had been decorated with anti-Mubarak graffiti.

On Saturday, the military had cautioned Cairo residents to observe an extended curfew, which began at 4 p.m. and was to stretch until 8 a.m. Sunday. Media outlets reported that police were largely absent, while troops were standing by and not interfering with protestors. Looters were active and some neighborhoods had begun arming themselves with knives, hockey sticks and even parts of furniture for protection.

In the fifth day of protest, tens of thousands of protesters still roamed the streets in Cairo, Giza, Suez and Alexandria.

The BBC reported that 74 people had been killed in the violence. At least 1,000 have been reported injured.

Cell phone service has been at least partially restored, although the government is still blocking the Internet.

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