Mubarak Steps Down, Ceding Power to Military

Looks like the people of Egypt or if you prefer the Muslim Brotherhood has finally accomplished the unthinkable, the overthrow of an autocratic regime. President Hosni Mubarak has ceded power to the military and has decided to step down. I though there would be more of a prolonged fight before he got the hint.

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt resigned his post and turned over all power to the military, ending his 30 years of autocratic rule and bowing to a historic popular uprising that has transformed politics in Egypt and around the Arab world.

The streets of Cairo exploded in shouts of “God is Great” moments after Mr. Mubarak’s vice president and longtime intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, announced during evening prayers that Mr. Mubarak has passed all authority to a council of military leaders.

"Taking into consideration the difficult circumstances the country is going through, President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave the post of president of the republic and has tasked the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to manage the state’s affairs," Mr. Suleiman, grave and ashen, said in a brief televised statement.

Even before he had finished speaking, protesters began hugging and cheering, shouting “Egypt is free!” and “You’re an Egyptian, lift your head”

He had declared that he wouldn't stand for re-election later this year. He also attempted to restructure his government to stave this off. All for naught and he's forced to give it up sooner than he would like. I even posted an AP video that showed his time in power as Egyptian president.

Also, I watched live coverage on YouTube courtesy of Aljazeera [WATCH]. Saw part of his speech yesterday and it definitely seemed like he wasn't ready to go. So the people would have to wait. Indeed it was said that he was going to announce his resignation and the protesters were intently listening. Alas as they continued to listen and saw that he wasn't going to leave, they started hissing. It was something else.

I wish the major networks here in this country offered live feeds on YouTube. If not merely the news networks at that very least the local news station affiliates. Of course that's not to say they have to have some programming to fill up the programming day.