The Supreme Council of Egyptian Armed Forces says that it will “remain in continuous session to consider what procedures and measures that may be taken to protect the nation, and the achievements and aspirations of the great people of Egypt.” This was part of a statement released by the Egyptian military council as protests continued around Egypt for the 17th day.

The constant crowd in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, in the thousands on February 10, was loud and excited with news of a televised address by President Hosni Mubarak. Journalist Jon Jensen tweeted this: “In Tahrir, we’re all waiting for the Mubarak speech. Crowds screaming: ‘Hosni’s leaving tonight!’”

Something big is brewing. But exactly what is not clear. Protesters won’t settle for anything less than Mubarak stepping down and fully yielding the reins of the Egyptian nation. Perhaps the military is pushing him to do that?

The secretary general of the ruling National Democratic Party, Hassam Badrawi, told the BBC that he expected Mubarak to hand over powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman. Of course, there have also been denials about Mubarak’s departure from his own side.

But if the much anticipated resignation happens and the “hastily appointed” vice president, Omar Suleiman, then steps in as interim leader, will the people be okay with that, and for how long? Suleiman is also a military man and close to Muabarak and has been described by Paul Amar, an author and professor at the University of California, as an “US/Israel surrogate.”

Or is the military preparing to take over in the political uncertainty that will form if Mubarak steps down? And what does that mean? A few people have been wondering aloud on twitter, just as @kaalakawa did earlier today when he asked: “Should the army take over in Egypt after Mubarak’s departure, would the revolution still be a success?”

The statement by the armed forces was meant to be reassuring but was also sufficiently vague to give Egypt’s military leaders enough room to manoeuvre. The military talks about the “legitimate demands of the people” but also talks about “its commitment to protect the people” and “the achievements and properties of the great people of Egypt.”

But in Cairo, the people are sensing something big, something good. Cars are in the streets and people are already honking their horns. But is the celebration premature? Egyptians and the world will know shortly. President Mubarak is scheduled to speak anytime now. No matter what happens, there will still be many unanswered questions tomorrow morning.

This is the statement released by the Egyptian military:

“Based on the responsibility of the Armed Forces, and its commitment to protect the people, and to oversee their interests and security, and with a view to the safety of the nation and the citizenry, and of the achievements and properties of the great people of Egypt, and in affirmation and support for the legitimate demands of the people, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces convened today, 10 February 2011, to consider developments to date, and decided to remain in continuous session to consider what procedures and measures that may be taken to protect the nation, and the achievements and aspirations of the great people of Egypt.”