Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, has for the first time during his three decades in power appointed a vice-president. The move came after days of violent protests in which tens of thousands have called for Mubarak's resignation. But the appointment has done little to quell the unrest. The man now second-in-command is Omar Suleiman, the country's former spy chief, who has been working closely with Mubarak during most of his reign. The 75-year-old has been mediating in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and won the respect of both Washington and Israel. Al Jazeera's Hoda Hamid portrays the military veteran whose nomination is seen is an attempt by Mubarak to retain international support.

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