A state of emergency in Egypt that has been in force for 30 years is to be partially lifted.
Emergency law was introduced in 1981 by President Hosni Mubarak, after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. President Mubarak was himself deposed last February.
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi says it will be lifted partially on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak.
A new parliament met for the first time on Monday and Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi said in a televised address on Tuesday that the state of emergency will be lifted in the entire republic except for the crimes of thuggery.
The BBC reports the decision will take effect on the morning of 25 January.
Lifting emergency law, which gives security forces very broad powers, has been one of the main demands of anti-Mubarak protesters.
An earlier emergency was imposed in 1967 after the Six Day War with Egypt.
