Unidentified assailants attacked security force barracks in the Egyptian border town of Rafah, following president Hosni Mubarak's speech confirming he will cling to the presidency until elections in September.

The attackers opened fire with guns and used rocket-propelled grenades, sources and eyewitnesses said.

Rafah is near Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip.

The attack came after Mr Mubarak defied predictions that he would resign and instead pledged to stay on as president, in a televised speech to the nation.

Mr Mubarak used the feverishly anticipated speech to say he would delegate power to his deputy, Omar Suleiman, and proposed constitutional reforms, but said the transition to end his 30-year-reign would last until September's elections.

His speech was met with a furious reaction from the more than 200,000 demonstrators who packed Cairo's Tahrir Square on the 17th day of massive nationwide protests demanding the strongman's overthrow.

There were reports some protesters were marching towards Cairo's presidential palace and state television building.

Source: Reuters