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Hosni Mubarak Steps Down, Retreats to Sharm el-Sheikh
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by Jordan Yerman | February 11, 2011 at 08:17 am
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Hosni Mubarak Steps Down as President of Egypt
Hosni Mubarak will step down. The announcement comes not even a day after a defiant statement in which Mubarak said he would rather die than give up the presidency. After weeks of protests, Egypt is entering a new chapter in its history.
Currently the army is in control of the country. The announcement that Mubarak would step down was made by Vice President Omar Suleiman.
This is an exciting and scary moment for Egypt: for the first time, the country is not controlled by a dictator or outside interests. While CNN is reporting that the people are calling the shots, that's not entirely true: technically the military is now in charge. While the military has stated that it sides with the people and will only hold power in a caretaker capacity, it's too early to tell what transition of power will look like.
Ultimately, the "soft coup" threat turned out to be prescient: the military basically turned on Mubarak, leaving him with no option but to step down or possibly face a slightly harder coup. Tanks turned aside their water cannons as crowds made their way to the Presidential Palace, sending a signal that the army was indeed siding with everyday Egyptians.
Where is Mubarak?
Hosni Mubarak had left Cairo for Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort town in Sinai. Mubarak left for Sharm el-Sheikh shortly after yesterday's speech. He will likely have to leave Egypt and never return.
What Now for Egypt?
Now that Mubarak has stepped aside, an interim government will have to be formed. Whoever assumes power, both in the short term and the long term, will have to have popular support.The cat is now out of the bag: a populace can depose a dictator in the Middle East, and do so in a nonviolent way.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 08:17 on February 11th, 2011
This is a breaking and developing story, and will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.
at 08:35 on February 11th, 2011
Well, he has gone, just about, but as the Army is left in charge, a hard up Egypt will not pass up the billions of dollars worth of reasonably modern kit that the USA give to the army command. So the country will stay pro-west. Big question now is how the billionaire/millionaire politicians that ruled in Egypt will get themselves and their back-hand cash out of the country!
at 09:07 on February 11th, 2011
Good news not only for Egyptian people but to all those who stand opposed to Neo-empire and its lackeys.Situation is yet not clear and is likely to remain so till elections are held.And who heads the transitional government is a question?
El-Baradei could not be a right choice,because he is not radical.Egyptians need a secular and radical leader.Muslim brotherhood is a force to reckon with.It is radical but not secular and democratic.We have to wait and watch the unfolding events.Egyptian people have to be cautious about US and Israeli machinations.
at 10:12 on February 11th, 2011
President Obama speaks on #Egypt, watch here originally set for 1:30pm ET but not has been moved to later this after noon, prior to the Daily press briefing
at 10:34 on February 11th, 2011
Will someone please explain how a military coup in Egypt, engineered by Mubarak and Suleiman, can be described by U.S. mainstream media as a "people's revolution?" No wonder mainstream media can't report on U.S. government atrocities against Americans extrajudicially slandered as "dissidents" or undesirables -- the media is part of the infowar of suppression and distortion. Perhaps NowPublic readers and editors need to be reminded that the Egyptian military has suspended the naton's constitution, its parliament, and is ruling with an iron fist. Don't pop the champagne cork so fast, mediaites, just because you like "happy endings."
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Coltish (not verified)at 14:10 on February 11th, 2011
Good job, Scrivener. You're telling it like it is. The mainstream media are totally controlled by the US Military-Corporate Junta. The US Military doesn't want to see Mubarak go. Mubarak has been taking our US "aid" money and putting it in his Swiss bank accounts; and, in return, Mubarak has been preventing the Egyptian military from attacking Israel. Right now behind the scenes the US and Mubarak are working together to identify a new "strong man" for Egypt, who will do our bidding. This has NOTHING to do with what the Egyptians want. The Egyptians know this and hate us for it. The US doesn't care what Egyptians want or what we US citizens want. The US just wants to avoid screwing things up the way it did in the 80s, when the US Government removed the Shah and let the Ayatollah waltz in. The US thought it could control the Ayatollah. Ha. Ha.That didn't work out. Ditto for Saddam Hussein; the US gave him weapons for his war with Iran in the 80s; but then Hussein got too big for his britches and wanted to add Kuwait's oilfields to his own. He was trying to control the oil, so he was removed. The US is still trying to find a replacement for him. Maybe they should put Mubarak in Iraq. He's temporarily out of a job. Ha.
at 01:53 on February 12th, 2011
By any standard or yardstick the uprising in Egypt was a mass movement against a brutal dictator(the only qualification for US economic and military aid).Army had no role in igniting popular unrest,demand for Mubarak's ouster.
Army has had to takeover,because Mubarak was unwilling to step down.Intervention by army was the only choice.Egyptian army has never intervened and overthrew an elected government(although through rigged elections).King Farouk was removed through a military coup.Since then politicians have managed(and mismanaged) affairs of the country.
at 11:12 on February 11th, 2011
FEB 11 1979.............DATE OF THE FALL OF THE SHAH AND THE BEGINNING OF THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION
FEB 11 2011.............QUOTE FROM PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD
"This is a global revolution, managed by the imam of the ages" Ahmadinejad, who is very religious, told large crowds gathered on and around Tehran's central Azadi square.
He predicted the formation of a world government, ruled by Imam Mahdi. "Hearts and beliefs are swiftly leaning towards forming a global governance and the necessity of the rule of the 'Perfect Human' linked to the heavens."-Washington Post
Unless you are ready for $200/barrel oil and WWIII you should not be dancing in the streets.
at 05:48 on February 12th, 2011
Where were the world leaders when Mubarak was in power for 30 friggin years and the people of Egypt were suffering? They were accepting pearl necklaces from a Dictator, that's what they were doing. Nary a world leader, or politician spoke out about Mubarak when in power, including Obamaramadalilama.
Sort of remind you of Britain's Prime Minister Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler, when Chamberlain after a state visit in Germany, reported back to Britons that Hitler was a nice chap and friend of Britain. The Obama, Clinton, Chretien, Trudeau, and other Liberals and Conservatives of this world allowed Mubarak rule to continue unabated with nary a criticism.
Here is an excerpt of Canada's once Prime Minister Chretien on the Middle East, whereby he chastises our Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his hard line against the middle east UAE including Egypt.
Chretien, who led a Liberal government from 1993 to 2003, added: “I never had any problems when I was prime minister with the countries here. I never had, in the 10 years I was there, had that type of problem without finding a solution.” Are you FUCKIN Kidding ME? Jesus H Hockey Sticks! Typical Liberals.
Utterly amazing of the world leaders hypocrisy,giving slobbering hugs and kisses to the people of Egypt, when previously they didn't seem to give a shit.
The only exception is Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper who is the lone wolf in all this, instead of sending hugs and kisses, he advised the people of Egypt to work for democracy and ensure previous treaties and agreements do not go by the wayside.
Anyone who searches the internet on these other past and present world leaders who previously visited this dictator were all hugs and kisses, with nary a one bringing up his incompetence as a ruler and dictator. Especially frightful were liberal leaders kneeling and deepthroating rimjob diplomacy while fumbling with Egypt's Mubarak zipper.
Funny now the Egypt is looking to the future that the world of journalism of the past and present missed (World Leaders now showing congratulatory Hypocrisy)this one and didn't point it out!
As for me, good for the people of Egypt, go democracy, just don't screw it up and take in the Muslim Brotherhood and their promises of help or you will just be another Iran after the Shah!
at 05:50 on February 12th, 2011
Just know if Egypt doesn't listen to Harper, that Canada's dangling full creamy white teats of foreign aid will not be available for their suckling on if they decide to go the other way, e.g. Muslim Brotherhood.
at 07:07 on February 12th, 2011
I think that your statements are warped in many ways, but in relation to Egypt you seem to be for "democracy", just as Mubarak was.
You cannot exclude a vast portion on the population ie Muslim Brotherhood and call it democracy.
In truth, you can't have an Assembly of Experts, an Electoral College nor a single political party appoint a national leader and call it democracy either.
Egypt is on the path to Civil War. With support from the West on one side, and Islam on the other. Under Mubarak there was stability in Egypt and a reliable partner for Western interests.
These events are a massive loss for the west, comparable to the fall of the Berlin Wall and all the West can do right now is appear to be friendly to the Revolution.
at 09:28 on February 12th, 2011
Is this a Secret Military Coup? If so who were behind it? Could there be a consensus between the US Government and the Egyptian Military to oust Mubarak from power? If Mubarak was not forced from power by those surrounding him, why did he not make the announcement to his fellow countrymen that he was taking the exit? Questions we may never find answers to. But all the same, I wish Mubarak and Family a wonderful retirement.
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parrotfish29 (not verified)at 01:10 on February 13th, 2011
at last... egypt is finally free!
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katrina kaif wallpapers (not verified)at 10:08 on February 13th, 2011
Simply know if Egypt does not take heed to Harper, that Canada's dangling full creamy white teats of international aid won't be obtainable for his or her suckling on if they determine to go the other means, e.g. Muslim Brotherhood.