Mubarak Finally Bails

Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year reign is over

Middle EastFebruary 2011 • Views: 36,197

Protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square are jubilant today, because Hosni Mubarak is gone.

CAIRO — President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt turned over all power to the military and left the Egyptian capital for his resort home in Sharm el-Sheik, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced on state television on Friday.

The announcement, delivered during evening prayers in Cairo, set off a frenzy of celebration, with protesters shouting “Egypt is free!”

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55 comments

blueraven Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:04:32am

Incredible: 18 days, relatively peaceful, protesters successful!

dmon Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:05:32am

I hope for the people of Egypt, who risked, arrest, torture and death to overthrow a dictator, receive a truly representative government.

The U.S. will simply have to deal with the outcome

Obdicut Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:05:46am

I'd say Egypt is free-er, but the real test will be what comes now.

Fozzie Bear Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:06:18am

I haven't looked, but I wonder how many Tea Party loons are calling for mass protests here, because, you know, Obama is just as bad as Mubarak... or something.

Alexzander Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:07:20am

I wonder if there is massive dialogue right now between the military and the US government. It would be wonderful if the nation had a comprehensive discussion as to what form of democracy they wish to enact.

S'latch Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:08:04am

I can hardly believe it. (And I heard it here first). I thought he would hang on and hold out. It is great news.

Jadespring Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:09:20am

[Link: ca.news.yahoo.com...]

Egypt's higher military council will sack the cabinet, suspend both houses of parliament and rule with the head of the supreme constitutional court, Al Arabiya television reported Friday.
The army statement was expected to be delivered later on Friday and followed President Hosni Mubarak's dramatic resignation after 30 years in power.

Tumulus11 Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:09:43am

. Pres. Mubarak was scheduled to resign yesterday evening but got cold feet at the last moment. Today the military called his bluff and pushed him out the door. The army has taken over in Egypt but it's really the people who are now in control. Tahrir square is in a frenzy of jubilation. This is a great day in Egyptian history.

dmon Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:09:48am

re: #5 Alexzander

I hope the U.S. government stays the hell out of it, other than giving whatever assistance the Egyptians ask for. This country has a horrible history of influencing governments only to have it bite us in the ass a few decades later.

Alexzander Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:11:42am

re: #9 dmon

I hope the U.S. government stays the hell out of it, other than giving whatever assistance the Egyptians ask for. This country has a horrible history of influencing governments only to have it bite us in the ass a few decades later.

I know - but the've already said many times that the US army has been in dialogue with its counterparts in the Egyptian army. They are very close; the US army trained Egypt's army, funds them and arms them.

Fozzie Bear Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:11:48am

The Saudi royal family must be shitting themselves.

Alexzander Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:12:27am

re: #11 Fozzie Bear

The Saudi royal family must be shitting themselves.

I hope they are.

Mostly sane, most of the time. Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:12:59am

On watching all of this, I am struck, again, by the greatness of George Washington.

The army kept trying to get him to take over. They had been badly treated and they knew it.

He refused and got them to stand down by sheer force of personality.

Greatness.

dmon Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:13:45am

re: #10 Alexzander

The only government the Egyptian people will accept is the one they choose...... Even a wiff of U.S. influence will result in the Eqyptian public looking upon their new government as U.S. puppets

S'latch Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:14:04am

This part of the article from the NYT, although rather true, disturbs me:

"The popular protest, peaceful and resilient despite numerous effort by Mr. Mubarak’s legendary security apparatus to suppress them, ultimately deposed an ally of the United States who has been instrumental in implementing American policy in the region for decades."

Yea, our man in Egypt is gone. And it still seems like good news.

Fozzie Bear Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:14:20am

re: #13 EmmmieG

On watching all of this, I am struck, again, by the greatness of George Washington.

The army kept trying to get him to take over. They had been badly treated and they knew it.

He refused and got them to stand down by sheer force of personality.

Greatness.

Sure, but he was no Ronald Reagan. /

wrenchwench Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:14:22am

Interesting celebration of freedom:

@Sandmonkey
I WANT KFCCCCCC!!!! #JAN25

avanti Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:14:27am

I posted it down thread:

"I made the mistake of scanning the right wing blogs after not seeing a thread on Egypt on here yet. Here, I see a celebration with some reasonable comments about it being only a first step. Elsewhere on right it's either bad news outright, or bad news because the POTUS may get some credit.
Some would rather see the Egyptian revolution fail badly so they could lay the blame on Obama. BTW, I think the POTUS had very little to do with it either way, he just walked a tight rope."

BTW, CNN just talked to the Google guy, and he thanks CNN for saving lives by being there, and also gave Facebook credit. His dream ? He wants to meet Mark Zuckerberg. Cue Beck to talk about a Facebook/Soros connection./

Jadespring Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:16:52am

re: #17 wrenchwench

Interesting celebration of freedom:

@Sandmonkey
I WANT KFCCC!!! #JAN25

I think it's an inside joke of sorts. At one time State TV was saying that the protesters were only in the square because 'outside forces' were paying them and giving them free KFC meals.
Since then Sandmonkey and others have been making fun of it.

dmon Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:17:36am

I am watching the crowd in the square, I dont think Americans can relate to the emotions going on, these people have been beat down for decades

Walter L. Newton Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:17:38am

re: #4 Fozzie Bear

I haven't looked, but I wonder how many Tea Party loons are calling for mass protests here, because, you know, Obama is just as bad as Mubarak... or something.

Americans are too lazy to put any effort into something like this.

Mostly sane, most of the time. Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:17:45am

re: #19 Jadespring

I think it's an inside joke of sorts. At one time State TV was saying that the protesters were only in the square because 'outside forces' were paying them and giving them free KFC meals.
Since then Sandmonkey and others have been making fun of it.

The forces of evil fried chicken?

Nevertires Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:18:25am

Wow - unbelievable.

Until the whole Egypt situation occurred I have had a hazy understanding of the usefulness (and function) of Twitter. Around the 25th of January I began following a CBC reporter's tweets from Cairo. This led me to the many other voices from the streets and has shown me how useful and powerful a tool that it truly is.

reine.de.tout Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:19:48am

Sandmonkey wants KFC!

Sandmonkey Sandmonkey
I WANT KFCCCCCC!!!! #JAN25

LOL

Jadespring Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:20:13am

re: #15 Lawrence Schmerel

This part of the article from the NYT, although rather true, disturbs me:

"The popular protest, peaceful and resilient despite numerous effort by Mr. Mubarak’s legendary security apparatus to suppress them, ultimately deposed an ally of the United States who has been instrumental in implementing American policy in the region for decades."

Yea, our man in Egypt is gone. And it still seems like good news.

No worries. You'll just get some other ones.

avanti Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:20:31am

re: #4 Fozzie Bear

I haven't looked, but I wonder how many Tea Party loons are calling for mass protests here, because, you know, Obama is just as bad as Mubarak... or something.

The pro Mubarak right blogs wondered if a few 1000 protesters showed up in DC, would Obama leave. I saw more than a few posts like that.

Alexzander Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:20:49am

re: #23 Nevertires

Wow - unbelievable.

Until the whole Egypt situation occurred I have had a hazy understanding of the usefulness (and function) of Twitter. Around the 25th of January I began following a CBC reporter's tweets from Cairo. This led me to the many other voices from the streets and has shown me how useful and powerful a tool that it truly is.

I had a similar experience when watching and following the attempted Iranian revolution of 2009-2010. Same thing when following the G20 protests in Toronto past summer.

wrenchwench Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:21:22am

re: #19 Jadespring

I think it's an inside joke of sorts. At one time State TV was saying that the protesters were only in the square because 'outside forces' were paying them and giving them free KFC meals.
Since then Sandmonkey and others have been making fun of it.

That's good to hear. I'd hate to think people were motivated to revolution by junk food, or lack thereof.

Wouldn't surprise me, though.

Jadespring Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:21:54am

re: #26 avanti

The pro Mubarak right blogs wondered if a few 1000 protesters showed up in DC, would Obama leave. I saw more than a few posts like that.

Maybe millions and millions. A few thousand? Ha ha. No.

S'latch Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:22:08am

re: #25 Jadespring

The army is in charge now. And, it might have been the Egyptian Army which was our real ally there, even more so than Mubarak.

insanity police Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:22:44am

Good for the people of Egypt. Freedom and democracy are good trends that we should celebrate. However, it still remains to be seen whether the new Egypt will be peaceful and modern, or whether it will be yet another bastion of anti-Americanism and Jew hatred in the Middle East. I'm hoping for the best, but not expecting it.

Summer Seale Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:23:31am

I just have to say that the way in this revolution was done without, basically, firing a shot...gives me a modicum of hope. It shows a level of maturity recently achieved in the Arab world which was hitherto unseen.

I am hopefully and cautiously optimistic tonight. =)

avanti Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:23:31am

Biden on now, saying this was not about Egypt alone, it started in Tunisia and spread. The rest of the mid east will not be happy with those comments suggesting this may only be the beginning.

dmon Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:24:00am

Amazing.... I was just watching CNN....an ambulance trying to get thru the crowd.......people just orderly stepped back and formed a human chain to make room......

Ive earned a huge amount of respect for the Egyptian people

prairiefire Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:24:35am

This a wonderful outcome.

avanti Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:24:36am

re: #30 Lawrence Schmerel

The army is in charge now. And, it might have been the Egyptian Army which was our real ally there, even more so than Mubarak.

No problem, didn't Beck get millions to show up ?/

Jadespring Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:24:58am

re: #28 wrenchwench

That's good to hear. I'd hate to think people were motivated to revolution by junk food, or lack thereof.

Wouldn't surprise me, though.

I don't think so. Before the revolution there was no lack of KFCs and other western fast food chains in Egypt, especially in Cairo. I think several of them surrounded the square even. I read a tweet last night the people were making sandwiches for the protesters in the empty Pizza Hut restaurant.

lawhawk Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:27:37am

Questions of the day.

Who exactly is in charge?

NYT reports that "with the military in charge, Mr. Suleiman is apparently no longer vice president."

So, which of the generals is making the decisions (or group of generals) and who will be handling the next phase in the transfer of power from Mubarak's regime to a new political situation?

Would this not be considered a junta for at least the interim period until elections are eventually held?

The jubilation is certainly warranted, but it may be short lived if the Army doesn't hold up its end of the bargain with the Egyptian people.

Skandal Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:29:24am

Posted This Morning on Craigslist, Cairo

Ericus58 Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:29:36am

re: #38 lawhawk

Questions of the day.

Who exactly is in charge?

NYT reports that "with the military in charge, Mr. Suleiman is apparently no longer vice president."

So, which of the generals is making the decisions (or group of generals) and who will be handling the next phase in the transfer of power from Mubarak's regime to a new political situation?

Would this not be considered a junta for at least the interim period until elections are eventually held?

The jubilation is certainly warranted, but it may be short lived if the Army doesn't hold up its end of the bargain with the Egyptian people.

"#1703: Some more details on Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, reported to be heading the Higher Military Council. Born in 1931; Promoted to general and made minister of defence and head of the armed forces in 1991; Appointed deputy-prime minister on 29 January, 2011, amid efforts to appease the protesters.

#1705: Field Marshal Tantawi also visited Tahrir Square on 4 Feburary in the midst of the protests."

Alexzander Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:29:43am

re: #32 Summer

I just have to say that the way in this revolution was done without, basically, firing a shot...gives me a modicum of hope. It shows a level of maturity recently achieved in the Arab world which was hitherto unseen.

That is a pretty patronizing comment to make about approximately 360 million people.

Mostly sane, most of the time. Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:30:31am

Watching the streaming video.

Looks like a big mosh pit.

Probably feels like a big mosh pit.

Jadespring Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:33:27am

re: #42 EmmmieG

Watching the streaming video.

Looks like a big mosh pit.

Probably feels like a big mosh pit.

Somebody did that photoshop you were talking about last night. LOL

Post 39

Mostly sane, most of the time. Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:34:17am

re: #43 Jadespring

Somebody did that photoshop you were talking about last night. LOL

Post 39

I saw it. Beautiful.

RadicalModerate Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:34:41am

Decided to browse a few of the more right-wing to see how they are reacting to Mubarak's resignation.

Three things stand out:

1. They regret that Mubarak stepped down. Because a secular dictatorship is much preferred to the possibility of a democracy where Muslims might be in power. (MANY "He's OUR dictator" statements)

2. Blaming President Obama for how everything unfolded, claiming that he was solely to blame for the US mismanagement of the crisis, and a few people with veiled threats to him to leave office.

3. Calls for Israel to invade Egypt immediately while the power structure is in flux.

Let's just say that sanity isn't these folk's strong suit.

Alexzander Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:51:41am

re: #45 RadicalModerate

What sites did you browse?

Alexzander Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:52:30am

God damn it I never know when a new thread has been started...

Gus Fri, Feb 11, 2011 9:57:41am

re: #45 RadicalModerate

Decided to browse a few of the more right-wing to see how they are reacting to Mubarak's resignation.

Three things stand out:

1. They regret that Mubarak stepped down. Because a secular dictatorship is much preferred to the possibility of a democracy where Muslims might be in power. (MANY "He's OUR dictator" statements)

2. Blaming President Obama for how everything unfolded, claiming that he was solely to blame for the US mismanagement of the crisis, and a few people with veiled threats to him to leave office.

3. Calls for Israel to invade Egypt immediately while the power structure is in flux.

Let's just say that sanity isn't these folk's strong suit.

Ah yes but of course. The usual wingnut response or answer to everything is typically to call for a military response. They always make it sound so easy, "while we're at it Israel should invade Egypt!" Let's say Israel can even accomplish this task, which they can't, what then? Israel becomes the caretaker of a country of 80 million people? Not going to happen either because the Egyptian military remains quite formidable (they have the 10th largest military in the world) and it would be a formidable task even for the USA.

It's a highly irrational response. Got a toothache? Call in the F-18s! They've been playing too many video games and watching far too many Rambo movies.

Funky_Gibbon Fri, Feb 11, 2011 10:06:29am

The people of Egypt can't afford to think that their struggle for democracy is over yet. They need to keep the pressure on the military to keep their promise of ensuring a free and fair election of a civilian government, one dedicated to peace and prosperity.

There will be more than a few countries in the region whose leaders will be very nervous tonight.

Skandal Fri, Feb 11, 2011 10:14:00am

http://ismubarakstillpresident.com/

Feline Fearless Leader Fri, Feb 11, 2011 10:17:05am

re: #21 Walter L. Newton

Americans are too lazy to put any effort into something like this.

The effectiveness of the loose rein (or apparently loose rein). If you allow the pot to vent energy well enough it will never boil.

SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Feb 11, 2011 10:19:39am

re: #4 Fozzie Bear

I haven't looked, but I wonder how many Tea Party loons are calling for mass protests here, because, you know, Obama is just as bad as Mubarak... or something.

If the Tea Party wants to spend eighteen days packed in the streets of DC, I say, they should go for it. It's nice and warm in DC this time of year, right?

Feline Fearless Leader Fri, Feb 11, 2011 10:27:35am

re: #48 Gus 802

Ah yes but of course. The usual wingnut response or answer to everything is typically to call for a military response. They always make it sound so easy, "while we're at it Israel should invade Egypt!" Let's say Israel can even accomplish this task, which they can't, what then? Israel becomes the caretaker of a country of 80 million people? Not going to happen either because the Egyptian military remains quite formidable (they have the 10th largest military in the world) and it would be a formidable task even for the USA.

It's a highly irrational response. Got a toothache? Call in the F-18s! They've been playing too many video games and watching far too many Rambo movies.

But we all know that the Israeli military would be welcomed into Cairo with flowers and open arms, just like the US Army into Baghdad...
(not)
//

Ojoe Fri, Feb 11, 2011 1:59:58pm

OK now it is the turn of the Iranian people to throw out the mullahs and "Dinnerjacket."

Well might they be in spired.

And the changes we see have at least something to do with having gotten rid of Saddam Hussein, I won't say who did that.

Tigger2005 Fri, Feb 11, 2011 2:16:10pm

re: #54 Ojoe

OK now it is the turn of the Iranian people to throw out the mullahs and "Dinnerjacket.".

Egypt has nothing comparable to Iran's Revolutionary Guards and fanatical mullahs. If it did, the protesters would have been crushed. You can point out that possibly more people were killed in the Egyptian protests than the Iranian uprising, and that even the Iranian government didn't try shutting down the Internet. But the fact remains that Iran DID crush the protests, and Egypt didn't.

And I think at least part of that is that the Revolutionary Guards and the mullahs were/are better at generating fear and terror. Iran is a far more oppressive state than Egypt...all dictatorships/theocratic regimes are not created equal. Iran didn't/doesn't have to crack down as brutally on protests because the fear of what they might do--the knowledge of what they are capable of...has a powerful chilling effect.

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