Egyptians protesting across the country

[FSTargetDrone]

However this earlier story got out about his possibly stepping down as early as this evening (local time) this latest information will surely only exacerbate things.

[Broomstick]

Frankly, the only way I expect Mubarak to "step down" to be "assisted" off the edge of a roof or out of a high window.

Needless to say, I'd love to be proven wrong on this, but I don't think the king man wants to let go of the throne presidency.

[Raj Ahten]

Frankly, the only way I expect Mubarak to "step down" to be "assisted" off the edge of a roof or out of a high window.

Needless to say, I'd love to be proven wrong on this, but I don't think the king man wants to let go of the throne presidency.

It looks like you are right so far as Mubarak isn't going anywhere. The earlier pronouncements of his departure a now a bit mysterious though. Perhaps an indication of indicision and confusion among Mubarak's party?

Mubarak Refuses to Step DownBy ANTHONY SHADID AND DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
CAIRO — President Hosni Mubarak told the Egyptian people Thursday that he would delegate authority to his vice president, Omar Suleiman, but that he would not resign, enraging hundreds of thousands gathered to hail his departure and setting the stage for what protesters promised would be the largest demonstrations since the uprising began last month.

The declaration by Mr. Mubarak that he would remain president marked another pivotal turn in the largest popular revolt in Egypt’s history, and some protesters warned that weeks of peaceful protests might give way to violence as early as Friday’s demonstrations. The 17-minute speech itself underlined the yawning gap between ruler and ruled in Egypt: Mr. Mubarak, in paternalistic tones, talked specifics of constitutional reform, while sprawling crowds in Tahrir Square, in a mix of bewilderment and anger, demanded he step down.

“It’s not about Hosni Mubarak,” he said.

After the speech, the mood in Tahrir Square, celebratory throughout the day, suddenly turned grim, as angry protesters waved their shoes in defiance — considered a deeply insulting gesture in the Arab world — and began chanting “Leave! Leave!”

Mohamed ElBaradei, the opposition leader and Nobel laureate, called for the military to intervene to avoid an outbreak of violence. “Egypt will explode,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “Army must save the country now.”

CNN reported hours after the speech that it had confirmed that “thousands” of protesters had reached the presidential palace in Heliopolis, a district of Cairo five to six miles from the city center.

By midnight local time, about 2,000 protesters had made their way from the square to the Radio and Television Building, which protesters loathe for propaganda that has cast the demonstrators as troublemakers. Armor was positioned along the street, and the building itself was barricaded with barbed wire, tanks and armored vehicles that kept protesters away. Many said they planned to sleep there, in yet another move to broaden their protests that have so far focused on Tahrir Square and the nearby Parliament building.

“We must stop these liars,” said Mohamed Zuhairy, a 30-year-old engineer, who had joined the crowd. “Television must reflect the real power of the revolution.”

Mr. Mubarak spoke after a tumultuous day in which the newly appointed head of his ruling party said the president had agreed to step down, and the military issued a communiqué in which it said it was intervening to safeguard the country, language some protesters and opposition leaders read as word of a possible coup d’état.

Instead, Mr. Mubarak, an 82-year-old former general, struck a defiant, even provocative note. While he acknowledged that his government had made some mistakes, he made clear he was still president and that reforms in Egypt would proceed under his government’s supervision and according to a timetable leading to elections in September.

He echoed the contention of his officials in past days that foreigners might be behind an uprising that has marked the most sweeping popular protests in the modern Middle East. “We will not accept or listen to any foreign interventions or dictations,” he said.

Even as he spoke, angry chants were shouted from the sprawling crowds in Tahrir Square, many of whom had gathered in anticipation of his resignation and were instead confronted with a plea from Mr. Mubarak to endorse his vision of gradual reform.

“Mubarak didn’t believe us until now, but we will make him believe tomorrow,” said Ashraf Osman, a 49-year-old accountant.

The president’s statement marked the latest twist and turn in a raucous uprising. Earlier in the day, the Egyptian military appeared poised to assert itself as the leading force in the country’s politics, declaring on state television that it would take measures “to maintain the homeland and the achievements and the aspirations of the great people of Egypt” and meet the demands of the protesters who have insisted on ending Mr. Mubarak’s 30-year rule.

Several government officials said during the day that Mr. Mubarak was expected to announce his own resignation and pass authority to Mr. Suleiman. Even President Obama seemed to believe Mr. Mubarak would go further than he did. In a speech in Michigan before Mr. Mubarak’s address, he said Egypt was “witnessing history unfold.”

The new leader of the ruling National Democratic Party, Hossam Badrawy, said he was sure the president would step down.

“I know it is difficult for him,” he said. But he added, “I think I convinced him to do that as soon as possible.”

Earlier in the day, the military’s chief of staff, Sami Anan, made an appearance in Tahrir Square, where he pledged to safeguard the people’s demands and their security. Thousands of protesters roared in approval, but they also chanted “Civilian! Civilian!”

Gen. Hassan al-Roueini, military commander for the Cairo area, also appeared in Tahrir Square and told the demonstrators, “All your demands will be met today.” Some in the crowd held up their hands in V-for-victory signs, shouting, “The people want the end of the regime” and “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great,” a victory cry used by secular and religious people alike.

Officials in Mr. Mubarak’s government had been warning for several days that protesters faced a choice between negotiating in earnest with the government on constitutional changes or having the military step in to guard against a descent into political chaos. Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit seemed to add a further ominous tone to those comments on Thursday, telling Al Arabiya television, “If chaos occurs, the armed forces will intervene to control the country, a step which would lead to a very dangerous situation.”

But if those words were meant to intimidate the protesters, they were ill-conceived. For weeks, the protesters have hoped the military would intervene on their side, even though it remained unclear whether the military would support democratic reforms that would threaten its status as the most powerful single institution in the country.

For much of its modern history, the military has played a powerful but behind-the-scenes role, reflecting its confidence that any government would protect its stature. Across the political spectrum, many wondered whether that posture had shifted after the military’s announcement.

“We’re excited and nervous,” said Ahmed Sleem, an organizer with an opposition group led by Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate. “If Mubarak and Suleiman leave, it would be a great thing. A six-month deadline for elections would be suitable.”

Asked about the possibility of a military takeover, he said he was not afraid. “We know how to force them to step down. We know the way to Tahrir Square.”

The overlapping statements by the military and civil authorities seemed to indicate a degree of confusion — or competing claims — about what kind of shift was underway, raising the possibility that competing forces did not necessarily see the power transfer the same way.


Reporting was contributed by Kareem Fahim, Liam Stack, Mona El-Naggar and Thanassis Cambanis from Cairo and Sheryl Stolberg from Marquette, Mich.

[Prannon]

Personally, having heard all the stories about plains clothes officers being among the pro-regime protesters, and hearing about some soldiers going around beating people up like thugs while regular troops are largely safeguarding the anti-regime protesters, and hearing now about how the army council announced that Mubarak would go while Mubarak himself said that he wouldn't, it's clear that there is a lot of confusion. That's a long sentence.

But yeah, it's pretty clear that there is confusion and division among the ruling elite and I'd say that Mubarak definitely does not have 100% control over his government or military. In fact, I'd go so far to say that there really isn't anyone who has control over the situation, either on the regime side of things or on the protest side of things.

[JME2]

Well, it's getting worse over there. I keep wondering how badly this is going to explode if stuff like this keeps happening.

[Prannon]

Heh, I should probably call my parents again and see how they are. From what I've been seeing on their facebook, things are still really normal in Maadi at least. It's far from where the action is taking place. On the other hand, yeah, I'd say that things are getting worse as far as the regime's position vis-a-vis the people and the army.

[Chris OFarrell]

I could be way off track here, but it looks to *me* right now that the Military is trying to move into position as a third party between the President and his people, and the protesters.

As in saying to the protesters; 'You have what you want, he will be gone by September, he has given up almost all of his power, now go back to work. We will guarantee that everything he has promised takes place in a timely fashion so we can have free and fair elections in an atmosphere of rational debate, not crazy revolution'.

This way, Mubarak gets to save face and stay on to the next elections as he clearly wants to do so, the protesters ultimately get what they want, and everyone cools down in the meantime, at least so thinks the military. Mubarak probably agreeing as it is going to be his best option, and he probably honestly thinks he can get to work over the next few months and try to find a new way to stay in power, somehow. And a LOT of people will simply not accept that, not after the almost contemptuous way Mubarak has dealt with the anger directed at him.

So we might get to a situation where the military says 'Go home, we are declaring these protests over' and the protesters saying 'BS, its over when he's over', and then the Military having to make a very...difficult choice.

[Broomstick]

Mubarak very clearly does NOT want to "save face" by staying on until just September. He wants to be king President for Life. He's hoping that if he can stay until September he can stay forever.

[Thanas]

Spiegel reports Mubarrak has fled Kairo via Helicopter, in the face of protestors surrounding his palace. He is now sheltered within a villa near the red sea.

[HMS Sophia]

BBC news is reporting that the Egyptian military has finally taken a side. They are telling protesters to go home, and that Mubarak will stay until September...
The protesters? They said no. They still want Mubarak out immediately. This could get ugly.

[JME2]

The protesters? They said no. They still want Mubarak out immediately. This could get ugly.

Uh-oh. Yeah, this is not going to end well now...

[Guardsman Bass]

Both Al-Jazeera English and The Guardian are saying that Mubarak has "waived the office of President", stepping down from power.

[Siege]

BBC says the same thing, and also says that Mubarak has left Cairo. Supposedly he's on his way to Sharm el-Sheikh. Whether it's true this time will remain to be seen, but it appears Mubarak has indeed stepped down.

EDIT: from the BBC live feed:

Full statement from Vice-President Suleiman: "In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country. May God help everybody."

[Thanas]

Looks like Mubarak was not as ruthless as the soviets after all.

[Siege]

Remarkable. 18 days and a dictator of 30 years is gone. One wonders what effect this'll have on the region... I imagine there'll be people in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan etc. scratching their heads right about now.

[Thanas]

Well, the real challenge will be to get Mubarak's people out. Now it depends on whether his cronies can find a replacement for him with enough pull (doubtful) and whether the protestors have a plan beyond "get rid of the huge target".

[Xisiqomelir]

Good on the Egyptians for ridding themselves of a tyrant.

I hope this leads to a freer and better society for them.

[Ace Pace]

Well, the real challenge will be to get Mubarak's people out. Now it depends on whether his cronies can find a replacement for him with enough pull (doubtful) and whether the protestors have a plan beyond "get rid of the huge target".

If they don't, we could see a rapid slide in Egypt. The proper functioning of a government depends on many skilled people, some of whom are probably highly corrupt and will probably get the boot, replacing them will be problematic. If they don't get the boot, replacing Mubarak will rapidly become symbolic and will not give Egypt any improvement in their living conditions.

[D.Turtle]

Brilliant, simply brilliant.

The reaction in the rest of the Middle East will be very interesting to see.

Lets hope that this is a part of the start to a fundamental improvement in the region.

[Pu-239]

Well, the real challenge will be to get Mubarak's people out. Now it depends on whether his cronies can find a replacement for him with enough pull (doubtful) and whether the protestors have a plan beyond "get rid of the huge target".

If they don't, we could see a rapid slide in Egypt. The proper functioning of a government depends on many skilled people, some of whom are probably highly corrupt and will probably get the boot, replacing them will be problematic. If they don't get the boot, replacing Mubarak will rapidly become symbolic and will not give Egypt any improvement in their living conditions.

The military has also sacked the cabinet, although Suleiman is still there.

[Big Phil]

Teabaggers are fucking losing their minds in the comments section of every newspaper I've read. This is Obama's fault, he should have supported Mubarak, this will be Iran all over again, Bush/Cheney were right with the democracy dominoes, etc. Seriously, what the fuck was Obama (or any other Western leader) supposed to do? Support a dictator rather than a democracy movement? Hypocritical much?

[Lonestar]

Teabaggers are fucking losing their minds in the comments section of every newspaper I've read. This is Obama's fault, he should have supported Mubarak, this will be Iran all over again, Bush/Cheney were right with the democracy dominoes, etc. Seriously, what the fuck was Obama (or any other Western leader) supposed to do? Support a dictator rather than a democracy movement? Hypocritical much?

The Teabaggers are fucking retards. The military stepped in and the (likely)worse case scenario is that we have a strong secularist military that will be hanging over any democratically elected government in the vein of Turkey. I've said it before, the Egyptian General Staff is going to run the risk of Uncle Sugar turning off the tap. By inviting Hosni to leave they are now "responsible stewards of the state".

[Crossroads Inc.]

The simple fact that the right and Teabaggers are comming out in 'support' of Mubarak and saying it is a bad thing that he is gone once more tells us all how little they understand things in the world. The way Obama handled things could not have been better. He could see the writting on the wall and knew what was comming. I would like to THINK he distanced himself from Mubarak not just because he was going down but because he was a nasty brutal dictator.

Of course it isn't all one way. I see just as many right wingers now going "If Egypt could get rid of IT'S dictator we can do the same to Obama"

[Phantasee]

Is anyone surprised the right wingers support a dictator over democracy?

Anyway, there are some parties on tonight. I suggest you all look into what events are going on among the Egyptian community wherever you are. It should be a good time.

[Chris OFarrell]

Bloody brilliant.

I was terrified that we would reach the stage we did last night where the military said one thing, the protesters refused to budge, and Mubarak used the opportunity to finish moving his people into the right positions to at least get some units of the military starting a hard crackdown against the protesters.

But instead, he's gone.

And it looks like the military have 'fired' his entire Government, except the VP, who is clearly staying on as a figurehead.

I'm guessing the delay between Mubarak yesterday insisting he was staying on despite all the rumors he was leaving, and his leaving today, may well have been the military high command getting organized and getting everyone into line on the same side; the side of the protesters.