Egypt

[winston]

Just watched Mubarak's speech...

When they are surrounded by a bunch of yes-men, they dont know what's happening on the ground. That's how great dynasties crash.

Hmm...still a lot of these dinosaurs around as if the world will stop spinning if they are not around ...

Maybe this dinosaur should follow other dinosaurs and spend his time writing a book. Just dont touch on the "sensitive" subjects like the other dinosaurs ...

[winston]

Al Arabiya says Mubarak, family leave Cairo

CAIRO (Reuters) - Al Arabiya television reported on Friday that President Hosni Mubarak and his family had left Cairo to an unknown destination from a military airbase in the suburbs. It did not give a source.

A senior military source contacted by Reuters declined to comment on the report. Al Arabiya had initially reported "news" that Mubarak and his family had left Egypt.

Source: Reuters US Online Report World News

[kennynah]

and he claimed just yesterday... "i will die on egyptian soil"...

[iam802]

he left Cairo only...so technically, still in Egypt.

[winston]

News not confirmed ...

CNN is reporting that a lot of people are marching to the Presidential Palace.

Anyway, his speech about his 30 years of "public service" made my blood boil. As far as I'm concerned, he has already been well rewarded for his "public service" ...

If an outsider like me can be so angry, just imagine what's the feeling of those guys on the street of Egypt.

I'm sure that each and every one of them would be willing to die for their cause...

[winston]

he left Cairo only...so technically, still in Egypt.

Yes, he has supposedly checked into his fav hotel in Sharm-al-Sheikh

[winston]

Very nice beaches there. Why bother to go back to Cairo ?

Just relax everyday, walk along the beach, watch the pretty girls, drink nice cocktails ....

[iam802]

Step down! Step down! Confirmed

[Muhajir]

Finally he did something sensible.

[winston]

Hopefully, they will have some other news on CNN now

End of Mubarak era as protests topple president

CAIRO (Reuters) - A furious wave of protest swept Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak from power Friday after 30 years of one-man rule, sparking jubilation on the streets and sending a warning to autocrats across the Arab world and beyond.

Mubarak, the second Arab leader to be overthrown by a popular uprising in a month, handed power to the army after 18 days of relentless rallies against poverty, corruption and repression caused support from the armed forces to evaporate.

Vice President Omar Suleiman said a military council would run the affairs of the most populous Arab nation. A free and fair presidential election has been promised for September, though some question the army's appetite for real democracy.

Mubarak, 82, had flown with his family from Cairo to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, a ruling party official said.

Ecstatic Egyptians celebrated a peaceful "White Revolution" in carnival mood on the streets and people embraced in Tahrir, or Liberation, Square, the main focus for protest, claiming a victory over their "Pharaoh" they hardly dared to believe.

In the United States, Mubarak's long-time sponsor, President Barack Obama said: "The people of Egypt have spoken." And he stressed to the U.S.-aided army: "Egyptians have made it clear that nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day."

There was a note of caution in the background, however, over how far the military under Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Mubarak's veteran defense minister, are ready to permit a democracy -- especially since the hitherto banned Islamist Muslim Brotherhood is one of the best organized forces.

"This is just the end of the beginning," said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Egypt isn't moving toward democracy, it's moved into martial law and where it goes is now subject to debate."

U.S. officials familiar with the U.S.-sponsored Egyptian military say Tantawi, 75, has long seemed resistant to change. He has been defense minister for more than 20 years with a past rooted firmly in the old guard's ruling elite.

CAUTION OVER MILITARY RULE

In a statement, the higher military council said it would take measures for an interim phase and hoped to realize people's hopes. Striking the even-handed note the military has maintained throughout the crisis, it praised Mubarak for resigning "in the interests of the nation" and the "martyrs" who died protesting.

Risk consultancy Stratfor said: "The military has carried out a coup led by ... Tantawi. It is not clear whether Suleiman will remain as civilian head of the army-led government. Egypt is returning to the 1952 model of ruling the state via a council of army officers."

http://links.reuters.com/r/KT2XP/5JMY7/ ... XSPT0/YT/h