| Published on: | 2011-02-11 17:10:54 |
After 18 days of protest, Egyptians have finally achieved their goal: Mr Mubarak has resigned.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down a few minutes ago, announced Vice-President Omar Suleiman in a brief statement on state TV.
"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," said Mr Suleiman. "May God help everybody."
This are breaking news from Cairo, the same place that reported just two hours ago the military's endorsment of Mr Mubarak's decision not to stand down. As the military stated, it supports Mr Mubarak's plan for a peaceful transfer of power, and for free and fair presidential elections later this year.
Yesterday staying, today leaving
His sudden resignation is surprising seeing that in his speech yesterday, he made clear his intention of staying in power.
Mr Mubarak begun his statement in a paternalistic mood, almost pleased by the people's fight for freedom: “I am proud of you as the new Egyptian generation calling for a change to the better, dreaming and making the future.” He also acknowledged their demands to be “just and legitimate.”
Regarding the activists' complains, he said that mistakes can be made in any political system and in any state, and pointed out that “the most important is to recognise them and correct them as soon as possible and bring to account those who have committed them.”
The first part of his speech sounded optimistic, portraying an Egyptian president willing to attend to people's requests: “I find no shame in listening to my country's youth and interacting with them.”
However, Mr Mubarak positioned himself as part of this change, instead of admitting that his resignation was what Egypt wanted as an unconditional demand for this change. With this “feeling of community”, it was implied that he will stay until next September.
Mr Mubarak said that Egypt is passing through a crucial stage in its history, which requires all sides to put the nation's highest interests first. “The current moment is not to do with myself, it is not to do with Hosni Mubarak, but is to do with Egypt, its present and the future of its children. From now to next September, day after day, we'll see the peaceful transition of power.”
Despite his friendly speech, activists in Egypt greatly resisted to accept “September” as an answer.
Egyptian citizen, Hassan ElSawaf, wrote in Steve Cook's blog, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies in the Council of Foreign Relations: “If he does not go now, he never will.”
Today, to the relief of many Egyptians, he is gone.
By Eva Fernandez
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down a few minutes ago, announced Vice-President Omar Suleiman in a brief statement on state TV.
"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," said Mr Suleiman. "May God help everybody."
This are breaking news from Cairo, the same place that reported just two hours ago the military's endorsment of Mr Mubarak's decision not to stand down. As the military stated, it supports Mr Mubarak's plan for a peaceful transfer of power, and for free and fair presidential elections later this year.
Yesterday staying, today leaving
His sudden resignation is surprising seeing that in his speech yesterday, he made clear his intention of staying in power.
Mr Mubarak begun his statement in a paternalistic mood, almost pleased by the people's fight for freedom: “I am proud of you as the new Egyptian generation calling for a change to the better, dreaming and making the future.” He also acknowledged their demands to be “just and legitimate.”
Regarding the activists' complains, he said that mistakes can be made in any political system and in any state, and pointed out that “the most important is to recognise them and correct them as soon as possible and bring to account those who have committed them.”
The first part of his speech sounded optimistic, portraying an Egyptian president willing to attend to people's requests: “I find no shame in listening to my country's youth and interacting with them.”
However, Mr Mubarak positioned himself as part of this change, instead of admitting that his resignation was what Egypt wanted as an unconditional demand for this change. With this “feeling of community”, it was implied that he will stay until next September.
Mr Mubarak said that Egypt is passing through a crucial stage in its history, which requires all sides to put the nation's highest interests first. “The current moment is not to do with myself, it is not to do with Hosni Mubarak, but is to do with Egypt, its present and the future of its children. From now to next September, day after day, we'll see the peaceful transition of power.”
Despite his friendly speech, activists in Egypt greatly resisted to accept “September” as an answer.
Egyptian citizen, Hassan ElSawaf, wrote in Steve Cook's blog, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies in the Council of Foreign Relations: “If he does not go now, he never will.”
Today, to the relief of many Egyptians, he is gone.
By Eva Fernandez
[Image courtesy of Iman Mosaad]
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