Hosni Mubarak still in Egypt: PM Ahmed Shafiq

Former president of Egypt Hosni Mubarak is still in the country's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said today.

"What I know is that the (former) president is in Sharm el-Sheikh," Shafiq told reporters during his first news conference since the 82-year-old Mubarak left Cairo last Friday amid unprecedented anti-government protests.

Earlier there were rumours that Mubarak, who had ruled Egypt for 30 years, had fled the country. There were media reports that he may go to the United Arab Emirates.

The Dubai-based network Al-Arabiya reported yesterday that Mubarak was making plans to head to the Emirates. A Kuwait daily, Al-Qabas, said Friday that UAE officials have offered Mubarak haven in Al Ain, a desert city near the Omani border.

Mubarak's reign over the Arab world's most populous country came to an end after 18 days of nationwide protests organised by a loose conglomeration of young activists demanding democratic change.