PrintFebruary 11, 2011
Mubarak steps down
Egypt's Vice President Suleiman has told Egyptians that President Mubarak is stepping down. ABC News reports:
"My fellow citizens. In this difficult time that the country is going through, President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak has decided to relieve himself of his position as president and the Supreme military council has taken control of the state's affairs. May God protect us," Suleiman said during his somber one-minute announcement on TV.
TV networks are showing jubilant crowds in Tahrir Square celebrating the announcement.
Egypt's future remains cloudy. Undoubtedly there will be calls for removal of Suleiman prior to scheduled elections in September.
The Muslim Brotherhood is highly organized, while the civil institutions of a democratic republic are weak to non-existent.
For the moment, Egypt has been spared a violent revolution at the hands of a mob angered by Mubarak's intransigence yesterday.
Now comes the hard part.
President Obama is slated to address the situation in Egypt at 1:30 PM EST.
President Obama is slated to address the situation in Egypt at 1:30 PM EST.
