An nti-government protester chant slogans during the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square, in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) — AP

Egyptian anti-government protesters shout in front of the Egyptian television headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's military seemed to throw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office until September elections while protesters massed near the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis) — AP

Egyptian anti-government protesters gather in front of Nile boats near the Egyptian television headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's military seemed to throw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office until September elections while protesters massed near the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis) — AP

Anti-government protesters, and Egyptian soldiers on top of their vehicles, make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) — AP

An army soldier sits on a armored vehicle as anti-government protesters hold their shoes in the air during a protest in front of the state television building on the Corniche in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Mubarak refused to step down or leave the country and instead handed his powers to his vice president Thursday, remaining president and ensuring regime control over the reform process, which stunned protesters demanding his ouster, who waved their shoes in contempt and shouted, "Leave, leave, leave." (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) — AP

Anti-government protesters, and Egyptian soldiers on top of their vehicles, make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) — AP

Anti-government protesters, and Egyptian Army soldiers on top of their vehicles, make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) — AP

Anti-government protesters march through a street in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's military threw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office through September elections while protesters fanned out to the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately. The statement by the Armed Forces Supreme Council - its second in two days - was a blow to many protesters who had called on the military to take action to push out Mubarak after his latest refusal to step down. Arabic read " get out". (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) — AP

An soldier stands guard next to a tank, as anti-government protesters sit on the ground during a protest in front of the state television building on the Corniche in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Mubarak refused to step down or leave the country and instead handed his powers to his vice president Thursday, remaining president and ensuring regime control over the reform process, which stunned protesters demanding his ouster, who waved their shoes in contempt and shouted, "Leave, leave, leave." (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) — AP

Anti-government protesters wave an Egyptian flag during a march in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's powerful military backed President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office until September elections, but massive crowds outraged by his refusal to step down packed squares in Egypt's two biggest cities Cairo and Alexandria on Friday. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) — AP

Anti-government protesters march in Cairo street, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's military threw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office through September elections while protesters fanned out to the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately. The statement by the Armed Forces Supreme Council _ its second in two days _ was a blow to many protesters who had called on the military to take action to push out Mubarak after his latest refusal to step down. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) — AP

Women anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers inside a makeshift tent at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

A poster showing President Hosni Mubarak, is hung by anti-government protesters over Arabic slogans supporting Mubarak set by his supporters a week ago in Cairo street, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's military threw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office through September elections while protesters fanned out to the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately. The statement by the Armed Forces Supreme Council _ its second in two days _ was a blow to many protesters who had called on the military to take action to push out Mubarak after his latest refusal to step down. Arabic read "Yes to Mubarak" (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) — AP

Anti-government protesters pray atop an Egyptian APC vehicle during traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

Anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

Anti-government protesters march through a street in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's military threw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office through September elections while protesters fanned out to the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately. The statement by the Armed Forces Supreme Council - its second in two days - was a blow to many protesters who had called on the military to take action to push out Mubarak after his latest refusal to step down. Arabic read " Get out". (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) — AP

Anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

Anti-government protesters peer out of their vehicle as they flash V signs and wave by Egyptian flags in Cairo street, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's military threw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office through September elections while protesters fanned out to the presidential palace in Cairo and other key symbols of the authoritarian regime in a new push to force the leader to step down immediately. The statement by the Armed Forces Supreme Council _ its second in two days _ was a blow to many protesters who had called on the military to take action to push out Mubarak after his latest refusal to step down. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) — AP

Anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

Anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

An anti-government protester lies down near an Egyptian army vehicle after traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

Anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers along side Egyptian soldiers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

Anti-government protesters demonstrate after traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

Anti-government protesters demonstrate after traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) — AP

CAIRO — Egypt's powerful military tried to defuse outrage over President Hosni Mubarak's refusal to step down, assuring it would guarantee promised reforms. But hundreds of thousands demanding Mubarak go only grew angrier, deluging squares in cities across the country Friday and marching on presidential palaces and the state TV building, key symbols of the authoritarian regime.

A day after handing most of his powers to his vice president, Mubarak flew to the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, some 250 miles away from the turmoil. He has a palace there where he often lives and works during the winter. State TV said a presidential statement would be issued soon on Friday/

The army's new message Friday was the second in two days giving the strong impression that Egypt's strongest institution had taken control of the country's political transition, pushing Mubarak aside.

But the mass protest movement now exploding in its 18th day demanded his outright resignation. The military's statement consented to Mubarak's handover of authorities while retaining his post, a profound disappointment to protesters who called for the military to oust him. Despite the transfer of powers, Mubarak retains his post and could in theory take back his authorities, and in his speech Thursday night he spoke as if he was still very much in charge.

Shock that Mubarak did not step down on Thursday turned to rage on Friday, and protests escalated.

Nearly 20,000 demonstrators massed outside the gates of Mubarak's main palace, Oruba, in northern Cairo, including a a fleet of dozens on motorcycles chanting, "Down, down Mubarak." Troops manning four tanks and rolls of barbed wire in front of the gates did nothing to stop the rally. Instead, they threw biscuits and cookies to protesters, who joked with them and cheered when the tanks turned their turret guns away from the crowd.

"The low-ranking officers are telling us indirectly that they are with the people," said Mohamed Bayouni, an accountant among the protesters.

"What are you waiting for?" another protester yelled in the face of an army officer, urging soldiers to rise up against Mubarak.

Ahmed Kassam, an engineer, said he walked two hours from Tahrir to the palace. "We were shouting at people standing in their balconies and they came down and joined us. We have thousands behind us," he said.

"Today I feel that something is going to change. I feel very very powerful."

The march on the palace were the first by protesters who for nearly three weeks have centered their mass demonstrations in Cairo's downtown Tahrir Square.

Downtown, more than 10,000 tore apart military barricades in front of the towering State Television and Radio building, a pro-Mubarak bastion that has aired constant commentary supporting him and dismissing the protests. They swarmed on the Nile River corniche at the foot of the building, beating drums and chanting, "Leave! Leave! Leave!" They blocked employees from entering, vowing to silence the broadcast.