| Submit your comments on this article |
| Africa North |
| Mubarak decides to stay for Act II |
| 2011-02-11 |
| CAIRO - President Hosni Mubarak provoked rage on Egypt's streets on Thursday when he said he would hand over powers to his deputy but refused to step down after more than two weeks of protests demanding that he quit. The armed forces high command had earlier issued "Communique No.1," declaring it was taking control of the nation in what some called a military coup seeking to end the turmoil under the 82-year-old former general, who has ruled for 30 years. "Leave! Leave!" chanted hundreds of thousands who had gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square in anticipation that a televised address would be the moment their demands were met. Instead, the former air force commander portrayed himself as a patriot and war hero overseeing an orderly transition until an election in September -- in which he said last week he would not stand. Mubarak praised young people who have stunned the Arab world with unprecedented rallies. He offered constitutional change and a bigger role for Vice President Omar Suleiman. Asked if Mubarak would step down, an Egyptian official had told Reuters before the speech: "Most probably." But his information minister had said that would not be the case. In a 20-minute address in which he said he would not bow to foreign pressure -- Washington has called on its old ally to make way quickly -- Mubarak said he would "delegate to the vice president of the republic the prerogatives of the president of the republic in a manner that is fixed by the constitution." "It is not immediately clear what powers are being handed over," British Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC. Suleiman, a 74-year-old former intelligence chief who was promoted just last month, is not widely popular with protesters who are seeking a complete break with the military-dominated system that has governed Egypt for the past six decades. Suleiman appeared on state television to say there was a "road map" for transition and said he would oversee a "peaceful transition of power" in the Arab world's most populous nation. Egypt's sprawling armed forces -- the world's 10th biggest and more than 468,000-strong -- have been at the heart of power since army officers overthrew the British-backed king in 1952. The army, from politically plugged-in generals to poor conscripts and junior officers, is key to what happens next. "This poses a real dilemma for the army," said Rosemary Hollis at London's City University. "Are they going to allow the demonstrators to escalate their demonstrations so that they push the point that Mubarak has got to go, and that means the army definitely does split with Mubarak? he demonstrators are very disappointed and there will be violence." |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #4 "I'll see you in September when summer is gone Have a good time but remember, I'll be waiting back home And when you go out dating with some guy all alone Just remember I'll be waiting when summer is gone" |
| Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2011-02-11 09:11 |
| #3 Obama regime Hope and change smart diplomacy is when 3rd world dictators speak openly of the US as a banana republic but if it makes Michele proud.... |
| Posted by: Alan Cramer 2011-02-11 08:33 |
| #2 Knowing the check from Abdullah had cleared certainly helped. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2011-02-11 07:08 |
| #1 I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the following, but this quote can be found on many sites: "During the meeting with the Military Council Mubarak made the following statement: “We are brothers, soldiers, we have bled together for Egypt, we have shed blood together. Today, we are faced by an enemy who demands we hand Egypt over to our enemies. The people of Egypt have been silenced by these insurgents and we have been more than patient. Will we all sit here and obey the Obama regime? Will we not once again, with honor stand up to our enemies? Will we not continue to stand for Egypt with honor? Brothers, would you have me crawl away at the command of Obama? Would any of you crawl away like a dog that has been kicked? Would any of you bow down to the fools he has chosen to take our nation from us? I leave to you, men of honor, the fate of Egypt, the honor of Egypt and in so doing, I know you will decide that which is right and honorable. We have known each other all our lives, we grew to be men together, we have eaten bread in each others houses and honored each others families. Will we now throw all that away for political expediency?" I post it here to provide what might be more insight into what the Egyptian government is/might be thinking. Strong words. The words of a man betrayed, and not going down without a fight. Obama the lightbringer |
| Posted by: Whiskey Mike 2011-02-11 06:43 |