Protesters greet armed forces statement with loud applause

CAIRO - Protesters in central Cairo Thursday greeted the announcement by the armed forces that their demands would be met with loud applause.

The crowd of thousands came to life as news of the statement from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on state television spread.

Some of the protesters waving flags rushed towards a large television screen set up on one side of Tahrir Square.

The Armed Forces Council was meeting amid speculation that President Hosni Mubarak would relinquish some or all of his powers Thursday evening.