http://abcnews.go.com/International...otesters-demand-resignation/story?id=12891572
Egypt's embattled President Hosni Mubarak left the presidential palace in Cairo today but remains in Egypt, sources told ABC News, as protesters kept the pressure on the government to force Mubarak out of office.
The military announced on state television today that the regime's much hated emergency law will be lifted when the security situation allows, encouraging protesters to leave the streets and return to their homes.
Instead, protesters were defiant, filling Tahrir Square for an 18th day to demand Mubarak's ouster as thousands more marched toward the state television building, a prime new target for today's protests.
"It is important for the regime, not for the people, because they have been lying and spreading propaganda," one protester told ABC News referring to the television building. "Once this building is down, the regime is down as well."
Egypt's controversial emergency laws have been in place since the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1967 and give the government far-reaching powers at the expense of judicial review and civil liberties.
The side streets around Tahrir, or Liberation, Square were packed as crowds streamed toward what has become the heart of these 18-day long anti-government demonstration. Instead of the rage felt Thursday night when Mubarak went on national television and said he would not leave office, there appeared to be a new energy and determination in the crowd.
The health ministry doubled the number of ambulances parked outside the square, and there was a mobile hospital. But soldiers seemed relaxed, smiling at the crowds.
Similar scenes played out in the port cities of Alexandria and Mansoura.
Wael Ghonim, a Google executive who has become the international face of protests since he was arrested by security forces in late Jan. 28, took to Al Arabiya television to speak for the demonstrators.
Saying the army should be the caretaker of the revolution, the 30-year-old said Egyptian people want true freedom of press and the right in establishing satellite channels and newspapers. He also demanded that Egyptians living abroad be given the right to vote, and that a transparent election be held in September.
The military, a revered institution, is seemingly maintaining a neutral position, but also asking for people to return to normal life.
The United States is keenly watching developments in Egypt, one of its closest partners and allies in the region.
Late Thursday, President Obama issued a stern written statement telling Mubarak he needs to do more to outline concrete steps for reform.
"The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient," Obama said. "The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity."
Obama also pushed the Egyptian leadership to be clearer about its intentions and how it will address the demands of the Egyptian people.
"We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step-by-step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek," he said.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Tahrir Square Thursday expecting to hear Mubarak say he was leaving, but were disappointed when the president only said he was transferring more powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman.
In an address directed to the youth of Egypt, Mubarak said he was pained by the deaths that have occurred since protests began on Jan. 25.
"The blood of the martyrs and the injured will not go in vain," he said. "I will not hesitate to fiercely punish those who are responsible. I will hold those in charge who have violated the rights of our youth with the harshest punishment stipulated in the law."
The United Nations and Human Rights Watch estimates that 300 people have been killed in Egypt's protests.
President Obama Issues Stern Statement on Egypt
February 10, 2011 8:22 PM
ABC News' Jon Garcia reports:
President Obama, following a day of uncertainty in Egypt and after a lengthy meeting in the Oval Office with his national security team this evening, issued a stern statement on the state of affairs in the Middle East country.
“The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient," Obama's written statement read. "The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity.
“We believe that the emergency law should be lifted,” Obama added. "We believe that meaningful negotiations with the broad opposition and Egyptian civil society should address the key questions confronting Egypt’s future: protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens; revising the Constitution and other laws to demonstrate irreversible change; and jointly developing a clear roadmap to elections that are free and fair.”
He also pushed the Egyptian leadership to be clearer about their intentions and how they will address the demands of the masses who have been protesting now for more than two weeks in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt.
“We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step by step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek,” Obama wrote. "There must be restraint by all parties. Violence must be forsaken. It is imperative that the government not respond to the aspirations of their people with repression or brutality. The voices of the Egyptian people must be heard.”
Obama closed his statement with this: “In these difficult times, I know that the Egyptian people will persevere, and they must know that they will continue to have a friend in the United States of America.”
--Jon Garcia
Here is the full statement:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 10, 2011
Statement of President Barack Obama on Egypt
The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient. Too many Egyptians remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy, and it is the responsibility of the government to speak clearly to the Egyptian people and the world. The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity.
As we have said from the beginning of this unrest, the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. But the United States has also been clear that we stand for a set of core principles. We believe that the universal rights of the Egyptian people must be respected, and their aspirations must be met. We believe that this transition must immediately demonstrate irreversible political change, and a negotiated path to democracy. To that end, we believe that the emergency law should be lifted. We believe that meaningful negotiations with the broad opposition and Egyptian civil society should address the key questions confronting Egypt’s future: protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens; revising the Constitution and other laws to demonstrate irreversible change; and jointly developing a clear roadmap to elections that are free and fair.
We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step by step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek. Going forward, it will be essential that the universal rights of the Egyptian people be respected. There must be restraint by all parties. Violence must be forsaken. It is imperative that the government not respond to the aspirations of their people with repression or brutality. The voices of the Egyptian people must be heard.
The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people. Those who have exercised their right to peaceful assembly represent the greatness of the Egyptian people, and are broadly representative of Egyptian society. We have seen young and old, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian join together, and earn the respect of the world through their non-violent calls for change. In that effort, young people have been at the forefront, and a new generation has emerged. They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfill their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential. In these difficult times, I know that the Egyptian people will persevere, and they must know that they will continue to have a friend in the United States of America.
Egypt Is Free
February 11th, 2011
Egypt's embattled President Hosni Mubarak abruptly stepped down as president, ending his 30-year-reign, and Egyptian armed forces took control of the country's leadership, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced today.
Crowds gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square erupted into loud cheers, chanting "Egypt is free, Egypt is free," as the historic announcement was made.
"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.
The surprise statement ended Mubarak's 30-year rule, making him the second Arab leader forced to quit by a remarkable populist and largely peaceful uprising. Last month, Tunisia's president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali resigned and left the country in the face of massive street protests against his regime.
Mubarak's resignation comes 18 days since the beginning of protests that have left 300 dead, according to the United Nations, and rocked the region.
The higher military council, which has taken over the country, is headed by Defense Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi. He was made deputy prime minister just two weeks ago in an effort to appease protesters, and visited Tahrir Square during the demonstrations.
"Welcome back Egypt," tweeted Google executive Wael Ghonim, who has become the face of protests since he was detained by security forces last month.
Men, women and children alike -- many with tears in their eyes -- flooded into Cairo's streets as the atmosphere turned from one of determination to pure ecstasy. People streamed into Tahrir Square dancing, honking their car horns and waving flags.
"The Egyptian people won," a thrilled Amr Hamadi said.
Hamadi, a 32-year-old factory worker who was celebrating with other protesters near the presidential palace, said, "Egypt will be in 10 years one of the best countries in the world."
"This is the greatest day of my life," Nobel Laureate and opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei said. "The country has been liberated."
As protesters in Cairo's streets celebrated with joy, some demanded that Mubarak be tried.
The news has significant implications for the world and the United States. Egypt is one of the United States' closest allies in the region, a key economic partner and only one of two Arab states that recognize Israel.
"What's at stake in Egypt is not just about Egypt alone, it just won't touch Egypt alone," Vice President Joe Biden said today.
Though the White House has distanced itself from Mubarak's administration over recent weeks, Mubarak was a close U.S. partner, helping broker peace deals between Israel and Palestine and supporting the U.S. in its wars against Iraq.
President Obama was informed of Mubarak's decision to step down during a meeting in the Oval Office, and he watched TV coverage of the scene in Cairo for several minutes in the outer Oval office. He is scheduled to make a statement on camera at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Edit* U.S.A President Obama will speak at 3 PM EST.
Mubarak's resignation was celebrated all over the Arab world.
In Gaza City, hundreds came out onto the streets firing weapons in the air in celebration. Fireworks erupted in Beirut as Mubarak's resignation was announced and people driving by the Egyptian embassy in Amman honked in celebration.
Egypt Is Free!