Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the Chief of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces gave a statement yesterday in which he said the SCAF is prepared to hand over power and the army is prepared to go to barracks if the people wished so in a referendum. Tantawi said presidential elections will be held before the end of next June and parliamentary elections will be held in time. He said he has accepted the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Dr. Sharaf and assigned it to continue its assignment until a national salvation government is installed.

Tantawi said the armed forces have no ambition to rule Egypt, adding the SCAF is prepared to hand over power immediately. He said the army did not fire even one shot at any Egyptian citizen.

Tantawi said the armed forces are not a replacement of the legitimacy.

"We have always been committed by our decision since the first days of the January Revolution that we will not open fire at protestors," the chief of the military council reiterated.

Tantawi stressed that the Armed Forces are ready to hand over power immediately if the people want so.

The Armed Forces reject all attempts to tarnish its image, Tantawi said.

"The Military Council of the Armed Forces shoulders the responsibility and does not look to remain in power," he stressed.