The Supreme Council of Egypt's Armed Forces, which is in charge of state affairs after President Hosni Mubarak's resignation on Friday, urged on Monday protestors to go back home and leaders of syndicates and workers to stop strikes and resume work.

In its fifth statement, a military council spokesman called on labor leaders to halt strikes and other sit-in protests to end so that moves towards "democratic path" could begin.

The military warned that continuing protests could be exploited by irresponsible entities to do illegal acts.

The supreme council spokesman urged people to return to work "despite what has happened".