After 18 days of protests, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down after an autocratic reign of 30 years.
Vice President Omar Suleiman made the brief announcement and said, "In these grave circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave his position as president of the republic. He has mandated the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the state. God is our protector and succor."
The Egyptian military is reportedly in charge and plans to suspend the cabinet and resign the House and Parliament, presumably in preparation for elections. Reports say the military tipped Mubarak's hand after yesterday's televised speech when he insisted he would remain in power.
After the announcement, "hundreds of thousands" of demonstrators massed in Cairo's Tahrir Square to celebrate. Watch video from AP AFTER THE JUMP ...
It's Mardi Gras in Cairo. Except that it's something real to celebrate.
I wish I could be there.
Posted by: Jim | 11 February 2011 at 23:24
It is just the beginning of a new Egypt, I just hope that whoever who won the election will take good care of the people of Egypt and the rest of the world.
Posted by: Christopher Hinn | 12 February 2011 at 00:46
Wow. The people won. The will of the people triumphed! Good for them! SMH at tyrants and dictator's in 2011. I wonder what will be next. I hope it's good!
Posted by: Occam's Razor | 13 February 2011 at 01:00