LEAD: Egypt to partially lift state of emergency

Jan 24, 2012, 21:58 GMT

Cairo - Egypt's military ruler on Tuesday announced plans to lift the country's 30-year-old state of emergency law, except for cases involving thuggery.

Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi said in a televised address marking the first anniversary of the January 25 revolution that his decision was to be enforced on Wednesday.

Egyptians are planning several rallies on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the revolution and to pay tribute to those killed in the 2011 protests.

The Emergency Law was introduced in 1981 by former president Hosny Mubarak.

The current government decided to extend it until June following an attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo in September and several attempts to storm security buildings.

Lifting the emergency law, which gives security forces very broad powers, has been one of the main demands of anti-Mubarak protesters.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took over after Mubarak, and is expected to hand over power after presidential elections scheduled to be held in June.

In a briefing in Washington, US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland on Tuesday congratulated Egyptians on the development, saying they are finally taking a major step that is 'very important for Egypt and for its future.'

She noted, however, the military government's use of the term 'thuggery,' and said the US is seeking clarification on the meaning from Egypt's leaders.