Egypt's military rulers have dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution, following the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak.
In a statement on state television, the Higher Military Council which took over after 18 days of protest, promised a referendum on constitutional amendments.
The Council said that they would only govern for six months or until elections took place.
Earlier, troops took control of Tahrir Square to let traffic through central Cairo as the army struggled to return life to normal.
Protesters argued heatedly in Tahrir Square over whether to stay or comply with army orders to help put Egypt back on its feet. "The people want the square cleared," one group chanted. "We will not leave, we will not leave," replied another.
The Arab world's most populous country was taking its first tentative steps towards democracy and protest organisers were forming a Council of Trustees to defend the revolution and urge swift reform.
Police officers, emboldened by Mubarak's downfall, gathered outside the Interior Ministry to demand higher pay. Warning shots were fired in the air. No one was hurt.
