Egypt's vp Omar Suleiman on Sunday turned down an opposition demand he assume the powers of embattled President Hosni Mubarak throughout political crisis talks, an opposition participant said. "We asked him for the president to delegate his powers to the vp as allowed by Article
139 of the constitution, however he refused," a delegate from one in all the opposition teams that met Suleiman said.

For the past 2 weeks, Egypt has been paralysed by a wave of protests against Mubarak's rule, and former intelligence chief Suleiman has been thrust into centre stage as a frontrunner who would possibly negotiate a deal on democratic reforms.

Mubarak, who appointed Suleiman, has said he won't run for re-election at polls in September. however this wasn't way enough for a few opposition teams, preferring that Suleiman rule in his place whereas fast elections are organised