Mubarak Quits as Egypt's President


Cairo, Feb 11, (IANS) : Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt with an iron hand for over three decades, stepped down as President today and handed over power to the army capitulating under mass protests sweeping the country's streets for the last 18 days. 

President Hosni Mubarak resigned and handed over power to the military, announced the recently appointed vice president Omar Sulaiman on state television.

Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the anti-government protests, erupted in joy with tens of thousands of people shouting 'Egypt is Free".

The end of a despotic regime in most populous Arab nation came one week after the protesters set a deadline of 'Departure Friday' for 82-year- old Mubarak to step down as President.

Mubarak is the second leader to quit after protests broke out across Arab streets in what is called the 'Jasmine Revolution'. A fortnight ago, Tunisian President Ben Ali fled the country after protests rocked his nation.

"President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as president of Egypt and has assigned the higher council of the armed forces to run the affairs of the country," Suleiman said in a brief televised address.

Mubarak and his wife left their presidential palace in Cairo today and international media reported that he had fled to the Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh, his favourite holiday destination.

Suleiman's statement was greeted with uproar by the lakhs of people gathered at the Tahrir Square as flag-carrying youth danced in joy and hugged each other.

Earlier, protesters marched to the President's Palace and to the state television headquarters, seen as symbols of the state authority, angered by Mubarak's refusal to quit and the Army's statement declaring support to him.

Thursday night, Mubarak's told the nation that he would remain in office but cede some powers to his hand-picked vice president Omar Suleiman.

In response, throngs of people gathered in cities across the country, their anger and frustration mounting. "Mubarak must go! He is finished!" protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square shouted, as a sea of people waved red-white-and-black Egyptian flags.

"Oh, Mubarak, be patient! The people will dig your grave."

Earlier today, Egypt's military chiefs pledged to back Mubarak's decision to remain in office and hand over some powers to Suleiman.

The supreme military council said it would guarantee "free and honest" elections after Mubarak's term expires, and a lifting of Egypt's 30-year-old state of emergency once calm returned to the streets.

The military chiefs asked the protesters to go home, saying there is a need to "return to normal life."

Instead, the protests that have raged here for 18 days only stepped up, with repeated signs that the soldiers posted on the streets to watch over the demonstrations supported their efforts.

The protests were held throughout the country with workers unions, journalists and clerics too joining in. 

  

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Comment on this article

  • veena, mlore

    Mon, Feb 14 2011

    Well said Mr. Nagesh Kumar

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  • Nagesh Kumar, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 12 2011

    Come on Citizen of India it is our turn to kick out all the rapist, gangster, cheaters, murderers, and criminal miniters from power and throw them to jail. Let us start our fight for the truth, honesty, and for rights. We are INDIANS not Hindus, Muslims, or Christians.

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  • Shammi, Karnataka

    Sat, Feb 12 2011

    Kudos to eyptians!! Egypt and their people rock.IT IS LAND OF PHAROAHS AND PROPHET MOSES(PBUH) .ONCE AGAIN PEOPLE OF MOSES(P) WON IT AGAINST PHAROAH'S ARMY.Such should be the spirit of common man.This is warning to every ministers, remember IF WE CAN MAKE UR LIFE KING SIZE BY VOTING U ,THEN WE CAN ALSO MAKE UR LIFE DESTITUTES.MR.CM OF KARNATAKA PLZ DONT TEST OUR PATIENCE,ELSE U WILL FACE SAME CONSEQUENCES WE WILL ALSO STAGE DHARNA AND FORM "NEW LOTUS REVOLUTION"Do good for the well being of kannadiga ,STOP CORRUPTION AND MINING.
    JAI HIND JAI KARNATAKA.

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  • Louis D'Souza, Udupi/Kuwait

    Sat, Feb 12 2011

    So the No.1 position for shameless politician goes to Yeddy now. Congratulation Yeddy. On 14th Feb valentine day u will get a gift from High Court. Happy Valentine day.

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  • shrinivas, India

    Sat, Feb 12 2011

    The people of Egypt came forward with their long awaited grievance with their objectives for freedom and democracy by throwing out Mr. Mubarak. But people dont know what happened in Iraq...?Nepal... India what is going on now.. who is behind that..? A Single man rule or Kingdom is better than the Democracy, becoz only one person loot the nation but if democracy then all can loot lik Biggest Democracy India. Compare democratic Govt. and King Ruling Govts.

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  • Ronald, hk

    Fri, Feb 11 2011

    hope it doesn't become one more Somalia

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  • Felix F., India/Ksa

    Fri, Feb 11 2011

    The ideal headlines should have been, the peoples power sacks Hosni Mubarak from presidency.

    Mubarak did not quite, made to quit

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  • Max & Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore/Houston, Texas

    Fri, Feb 11 2011

    Each and every situation has a consequence to follow, and each and every consequence has something else to display. The people of Egypt came forward with their long awaited grievance with all the peaceful means and realized their objectives for freedom and democracy.

    Egypt is the mother-land of Arab history and civilization. May God help the people of Egypt to achieve their objectives and may peace and stability prevail at all times throughout the region. There is no substitute for peace.

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  • gerwyn, mangalore

    Fri, Feb 11 2011

    yes we all wanted mubarak to quit at last he resigned from the president post egyptian people will be more happy than us.

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