Gen. Mamdou Shahen said the elections would not be held under Egypt's emergency law, though he did not specify when the law would be lifted.

In addition, the general announced an amendment that bans the formation of political parties on a religious, sectarian or geographic basis.

Authorities also denied news reports Monday that former President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted after weeks of protests in February, has left Egypt for Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the country's military rulers reduced a nationwide curfew so that it applies from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. as of Monday, said Maj. Mohamed Askar, a spokesman for the Egyptian military.