Egypt unrest: Anti-Mubarak protesters fight back

Mr Suleiman also called for the release of detained demonstrators “not involved in criminal acts”, but he said those responsible for the clashes and the “general deterioration in security” would be held accountable.

He said opposition party the Muslim Brotherhood had been invited to talks.

“They’re still hesitant to enter dialogue but I believe it’s in their interests,” he told state TV.

The party has previously rejected government calls for negotiations, saying Mr Mubarak must leave office first.

And in a separate development, the public prosecutor issued a travel ban on three former ministers and a senior member of the ruling party, among them the unpopular former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly.

Correspondents say these legal measures against some of the most powerful people in the country are confirmation of a deep split within the ruling elite.

His statement said other officials were covered by the ban, which would last “until national security is restored and the authorities and monitoring bodies have undergone their investigations”.

Unrest has left about 300 people dead across the country over the past 10 days, according to UN estimates.

The BBC’s Jon Leyne in Cairo cites a retired general who has been speaking to tank crews on the square as saying the army is losing patience, and if firing continues from pro-government supporters, it is willing to fire on them.

Those attacking them appear to be either police who have taken off their uniforms or plain-clothes “thugs”, our correspondent says.

The military leadership seems deeply uncomfortable with what is happening, adds our correspondent; they do not want to turn on protesters but they are not willing to defy the president either.

Meanwhile mobile phone firm Vodafone said the authorities had used its network to send pro-government messages.

If Mr Mubarak does not step down, demonstrators have planned to march on the presidential palace on Friday.