BREAKING: Mubarak finally quits!

[Technologic]

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is stepping down, vice president announces on state television.

Literally in the past 2 minutes it was annoucned. Will update ASAP.

The armed forces are to take control for the time being.

[Hecktix]

About time lol.

[Technologic]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12433045




Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as president of Egypt.

Vice-President Omar Suleiman made the announcement in a brief statement on state TV.

It came as thousands massed in Cairo and other Egyptian cities for an 18th day of protest to demand Mr Mubarak's resignation.

[Ajthedragon]

About time, hopefully they can restore a good, democratic government now.

[Technologic]

Mr Suleiman said Mr Mubarak had handed power to the high command of the armed forces.

"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," he said.

"May God help everybody."



Nice dig at the end....

[Grig]

It's interesting to ponder whether the vice-president is the one with the power, I think he will be. But after 3 decades, this could have a domino affect on the rest of the middle-east, with people now more willing to take part in revolution.

[Technologic]

I'm not sure, protests havent been seen on this scale in other countries

[Jordy]

About time too, it's always good to see an autocratic dictator thrown out of power by the people. Shame the guy has lost all his dignity in the process by pathetically clinging to power.

Personally though, whilst it's a success for people power I doubt the country will get any better, infact it'll probably get worse. Egypt was a stable country and the people were doing very well compared to most other Arab states. It seems a lot of people protesting were just jumping on the bandwagon. The elections will most probably be dodgy and then they'll most probably elect a party which removes their new-given rights and risks damaging relations with the US & Israel, of which they are highly dependent on. So yeah it's a good thing Mubarak has gone, but the country will probably get worse as he wasn't actually a that bad leader.

In some ways it's a bit like Iraq, Saddam Hussein kept all the people together and the country was reasonably prosperous under him, once he was gone there was dodgy elections and stricter Muslims running the country, mostly for the worst.

[Nuxty]

This is bloody fantastic! I am thrilled for the Egyptian people and I hope now that they will be able to move forward in the right direction.

[Eoin247]

About time it happened. No idea how he thought he could still hold onto power when he gave his evening speech earlier. Interesting to see what will happen now. Unfortunately Egypt is unlikely to get better any time soon. I can't see total stability coming to Egypt for quite some time still.

[Grig]

I could not agree with you more, such countries I do not feel are ready for western democracy and it was those dictators that kept things together. Although, it's great to see the democratization process kick off, it is quite doubtful how it will benefit Egypt, or whether it would indeed benefit the country, or turn it into an Islamic state, like some other countries within the Middle-East.


About time too, it's always good to see an autocratic dictator thrown out of power by the people. Shame the guy has lost all his dignity in the process by pathetically clinging to power.

Personally though, whilst it's a success for people power I doubt the country will get any better, infact it'll probably get worse. Egypt was a stable country and the people were doing very well compared to most other Arab states. It seems a lot of people protesting were just jumping on the bandwagon. The elections will most probably be dodgy and then they'll most probably elect a party which removes their new-given rights and risks damaging relations with the US & Israel, of which they are highly dependent on. So yeah it's a good thing Mubarak has gone, but the country will probably get worse as he wasn't actually a that bad leader.

In some ways it's a bit like Iraq, Saddam Hussein kept all the people together and the country was reasonably prosperous under him, once he was gone there was dodgy elections and stricter Muslims running the country, mostly for the worst.

[alexxxxx]

i wonder how long the military will be in control...