Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak has resigned as president after 18 days of protests by the country’s people, and 30 years as the country’s ruler.
The move was a surprise, as many thought Mubarak planned to step down yesterday during his speech. Emergency law however is still in place and will be until the military sees fit to remove it. The Supreme military council, now in control of the country, also asked protesters to return to their homes in an address on Egyptian state television.
Blast reported this morning that Mubarak left Cairo for Sharm-el Sheikh, a resort town a few hundred miles away from the capital.
The news was announced by appointed vice-president Omar Suleiman, in an address this morning: “My fellow citizens. At these hard circumstances our country is experiencing, President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak has decided to waive the office of the President of the Republic, and instructed the Supreme council of the Armed forces to run the affairs of the country. May God guide or steps.”
It is still unclear if elections will take place soon, of if their are plans to institute a civilian-controlled government.
However, today, the mood in the streets of Cairo has changed from anger and agitation, to joy and relief, now that the ruler the people so despised has finally given into their demands.
“Feb 11 is (a) Historic day in Egypt! We will celebrate it forever,” tweeted Egyptian Blogger Mahmoud Salem, 29, a 2004 graduate of Northeastern University, who has been active in the protests since the beginning.
Salem, who was nearly beaten to death in Tahrir Square last week, returned on Friday, victorious.
“People (are) jumping up and down. Everyone hugging. We did it. I wanna cry from happiness,” he tweeted.
Click here for a live stream of the celebration in Egypt from Al Jazeera English.
May the Egyptians have many days coming that feel as nice for them as this one does. May their military also help them to build a FREE, progressive and peaceful society they’re ALL proud of.
This is unbelievable. I’m in absolute awe.
But I think the Egyptian people should be now given the right to choose their own representatives rather than be led by Suleiman who has been the right hand of Mubarak for such a long time.