-Egypt's govt resists mounting pressure for change

* Protesters determined to see President Hosni Mubarak go

* As U.S. adds to pressures, Egyptian government hits back

* Army playing key role

* Egyptian economy struggling

By Andrew Hammond and Alexander Dziadosz

CAIRO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The Egyptian government resisted growing pressure on Thursday from key ally the United States and from a still energetic popular protest movement, both demanding radical and immediate political change.

Growing concern among the business community and the wider population about the economic impact of more than two weeks of disruption is adding to strains facing the cabinet appointed 10 days ago by President Hosni Mubarak to try to stave off the unprecedented challenge to his 30 years of one-man rule.

The army -- which has provided Egypt's leaders for six decades -- continues to stand by, overseeing and praised by pro-democracy demonstrators encamped in Cairo, while promising to help restore normal life and maintain political stability.

The White House said once again on Wednesday that Egyptian ministers must do more to meet the demands of protesters, who want an immediate end to Mubarak's 30 years of one-man rule and sweeping legislative changes.

Mubarak's government hit back at what it called attempts to "impose" American will on a loyal Middle East ally, saying rapid reforms would be too risky.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, a survivor of the reshuffle Mubarak undertook in a vain attempt to staunch the protests, told U.S. broadcaster PBS he was "amazed" by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's urging an immediate end to the emergency law Mubarak has long used to curb opposition.

"When you speak about prompt, immediate, now -- as if you are imposing on a great country like Egypt, a great friend that has always maintained the best of relationship with the United States -- you are imposing your will on him," Aboul Gheit said.

U.S. DILEMMA

The new friction in an alliance long nurtured with billions of dollars in U.S. aid was a reminder of how much has changed in Cairo in two weeks, of how much is uncertain both of Egypt's future and the future of U.S. influence over a Middle East whose autocratic rulers are struggling to contain social discontent.

Since protests began on Jan. 25, partly inspired by the overthrow of another Arab strongman in Tunisia, U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has trodden a sometimes hazy line between support for a key ally in Washington's conflict with militant Islam and backing for those demanding democracy.