Mubarak Names VP; His Sons Reported in London

Clinging to his political life, Hosni Mubarak appointed well-respected intelligence chief Omar Suleiman as the first man to serve as vice president since taking power three decades ago. Mubarak then appointed outgoing aviation minister Ahmed Shafiq as his new prime minister, reports the AP. Suleiman's appointment appears to anoint him as Mubarak's likely successor, a shift away from Mubarak's son Gamal.

It's not clear whether the appointments will assuage angry protesters; both men are seen as central regime figures. The moves come as the BBC reports that Mubarak's sons Gamal and Alaa have landed in London; Egypt's state-run television vigorously denied that, saying, "There is no truth to" those reports. (More Hosni Mubarak stories.)