"The main power that will decide what power or regime Egypt will have in the future is the armed forces," he said late on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"The key is in the hand of the armed forces," the source said, as the massive protests continued to paralyse the country, with demonstrators calling for the removal of President Hosni Mubarak.
"So far they are functioning very well, the situation is very well controlled."
Earlier on Wednesday the protests turned ugly in central Cairo as hundreds of supporters of the Mubarak regime clashed with anti-government forces, leaving three dead and more than 600 injured, as the army looked on helplessly.
Israel's leaders have said the greatest fear is that extremist Islamic elements will take advantage of the political turmoil to establish an Iran-like regime in Egypt.
But the source said the choice of a new government was more likely to be influenced by Egypt's secular military leaders.
"In the future, the leaders of the armed forces will decide, along with Omar Suleiman and Tantawi, who will run the country," he said, referring to Egypt's new vice president, Suleiman, and Defence Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi.
"They cannot affect the elections but they can create an atmosphere for calm for the elections," he said.
Israel would welcome any new government that included Tantawi and former intelligence chief Suleiman, who has had a long history of involvement with both Israel and the Palestinians, the source said.
"Their approach towards Israel is very good. I hope that they will continue to be part of the Egyptian regime," he said. "I believe we can talk with them... I hope that they will be part of the leadership."
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