ANTI-MUBARAK PROTESTS IN Egypt have calmed over the weekend, as opposition representatives held talks with government officials.

However, protesters continue to gather today and say they will not back down until Mubarak has left power.

John Simpson writes in the Telegraph that while Mubarak appears to have succeeded in staying calm throughout the unrest, the protesters just haven’t managed to force him out yet.

The leadership of the ruling National Democrat Party – apart from President Hosni Mubarak – resigned in an apparent move to appease demonstrators before talks began between vice president Omar Suleiman and opposition groups.

Members of the Islamic extremist group the Muslim Brotherhood participated in the weekend talks, but US President Obama appears confident that they will not be part of the next government, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Obama said yesterday that the Brotherhood does not have majority support in Egypt.

Although the unrest has eased considerably since last week’s violence, protesters continued to occupy Tahrir Square in Cairo through the night. Al Jazeera reports that non-smoking sections have been set up, which could be an indication that the demonstrators do not plan to leave soon.