Mubarak Will NOT Resign - Protesters Call for Egypt's President to "Get Out" - Videos - Photos - Updates

http://islamizationwatch.blogspot.com/2011_01_30_archive.html

RAH !

http://current.com/news/92980509_mubarak-resigns-hands-power-to-military.htm

Given that Western leaders have known for almost a year that Mubarak was very ill and would not be in office for much longer, I find it odd that Mubarak's succession is such a sensitive subject to them.

http://www.suite101.com/content/president-hosni-mubarak-more-sick-than-publicly-...

As the article points out, ElBaradei has been trying to position himself as a potential successor at least since last April. Given that their Constitution and laws spell out how and when an election should be held if the President is suddenly (for whatever reason) not in office anymore I have to ask; What's the holdup?

Is it that 60 days is enough time to hold an election, but not enough time for the tightly controlled media and business interests in the country to influence the people's choices in the election to ensure whatever outcome is to their liking?

I have my opinion.

http://tinyurl.com/4l2plvg

yahoo news story

Revolution, Delayed: Egypt's Revolutionaries Begin to Grow Anxious

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121021453441373.html

Egypt Erupts in Rage

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011210172519776830.html

Direct from Egypt

http://aquapour.com/mubarek-refuses-to-step-down/555979/

There were strong rumors that Egyptian President Mubarek would resign tonight. He was scheduled to address the Egyptian people on TV Thursday night, no one was sure what he would say.

CIA Director Leon Paneta told a US House of Representatives Intelligence panel Thursday that there is “a strong likelihood that Mubarak may step down in Eqypt tonight.” Mr. Panetta also said that Mubarak will likely hand over power to Omar Suleiman.

Opposition leader Mohammed El Baradei said any replacement for Mubarek must not be part of the present government. In other words: Suleiman won’t be acceptable.

CNN reported that a government official claimed that Mubarek would bypass the requirements of the constitution for proper succession. The constitution’s provision states that if the president steps down, the Speaker of the Parliament steps in until elections can be held. The official was quoted as saying the military would inherit the power by default, not through a traditional power grab. He said this is “not a coup in the traditional sense.”

Dan Murphy, the Monitor’s correspondent reporting from Cairo, said there were strong signs that something big would happen Thursday night:

“With mass protests expected to resume Friday – organizers are expecting the biggest turnout in Cairo yet, with demonstrators scheduled to stream in from around the country – there has been a frenzy of activity today from the military and the ruling National Democratic Party that all make the convincing case that something is afoot.

“Mubarak is expected to speak tonight. NBC News and Al Jazeera have both reported, citing unnamed sources, that Mubarak will step down.

“Lending weight to that likelihood were statements today from the powerful Egyptian military and from a senior member of Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party. Hossam Badrawi, the NDP’s secretary general, strongly implied to CNN that Mubarak might step down by tomorrow.”

They were all wrong.

Mr. Mubarek did go on TV, but he remained firm that he would not step down. He gave an unclear promise to give more power to Vice President Suleiman.

His speech only made things worse. Now something less desirable is likely to happen.

http://arabic.cnn.com/

Egypt news in Arabic...

why... don't... you... just... GO!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12424587

BBC.....

Egypt's Mubarak Refuses to Quit

10 February 2011 Last updated at 16:41 ET

President Mubarak TV address 10 February Mubarak addressed his remarks to the "youth of Egypt in Tahrir Square"

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has said he will stay in office and transfer all power only after September's presidential election.

His comments in a national TV address confounded earlier reports that he was preparing to stand down immediately.

Mr Mubarak said he would delegate some powers to Vice-President Omar Suleiman, but would ignore "diktats from abroad".

Thousands of anti-government protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square reacted angrily to his announcement.

Mr Mubarak had already pledged not to stand in September's poll.

"I express a commitment to carry on and protect the constitution and the people and transfer power to whomever is elected next September in free and transparent elections," Mr Mubarak said.

Directly addressing protesters "in Tahrir Square and beyond" in what he said was "a speech from the heart", Mr Mubarak, 82, said: "I am not embarrassed to listen to the youth of my country and to respond to them."

The mood in Tahrir Square has changed dramatically in the wake of President Mubarak's televised address.

There is an angry deafening roar rising from the crowd with numerous chants calling for an end to the regime and "revolution 'til we die".

It seems fairly clear from the reaction of the crowd that they are not satisfied with the concessions announced by President Mubarak.

The mood contrasts dramatically with the celebratory, almost party atmosphere that existed in the hours running up to his statement on television.

He apologised to the families of protesters killed in clashes with the security forces in recent weeks, and said those responsible for their deaths would be punished.

He added that the country's emergency laws would only be lifted when conditions were right.

He also appeared to call for the end of protests against his 30-year rule that began on 25 January.

"Egypt has gone through difficult times and we cannot allow it to carry on," he said.

"The damage to our economy will lead to a situation that the youth calling for reform will be the first to be affected."

Mr Suleiman, speaking after Mr Mubarak's address, said the protests had had an effect, and a process of constitutional change would now go ahead.

Egypt's military had earlier said it was standing ready to "protect the nation". State news agency Mena reported that the high council of the armed forces was in continuous session "to protect the nation, its gains and the aspirations of the people".

Negotiations between the government and opposition groups have made little progress, with protesters disillusioned at plans for reform put forward by Mr Mubarak's government.

The US government had in recent days stepped up its call for the protesters' concerns to be addressed.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Mubarak-Tells-Egyptians-He-Will-...

Voice of America...

Egypt's Mubarak Vows to Stay Until September

VOA News February 10, 2011

Photo: AP

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak makes a televised statement to his nation in this image taken from TV that aired February 10, 2011

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said in a national address Tuesday evening that he will not step down until a new president is selected in elections scheduled for September. He added that some powers are being transferred to Egypt's vice-president.

Saying a peaceful transfer of power is underway, Mr. Mubarak refused to give in to demands of tens of thousands of anti-government protesters who took to the streets for a 17th straight day to demand his immediate resignation.

Demonstrators in Cairo's main Tahrir Square jeered and chanted "get out" during the speech. They had earlier danced in expectation that Mubarak would resign.

It was the second time in two weeks that Mubarak told the nation he will stay in office until September.

His speech came on state television shortly after 10:45 p.m. in Egypt.

Earlier in the day, Egyptian military officials and members of the ruling party said Mr. Mubarak will "meet protesters' demands."

Egyptians have been calling for the ouster of President Mubarak, 82, who has been in power for nearly 30 years. They have been demanding he leave immediately.

Earlier in the day, the military's supreme council met without the commander in chief, Mr. Mubarak. The military is due to issue a statement shortly on state television.

The military earlier announced on state television it supports the "legitimate demands of the people.'' A spokesman said the council was exploring what measures could be made to "safeguard" the nation and its people.

Doctors in white lab coats and lawyers in black robes had earlier flooded into Tahrir Square, linking striking workers with anti-government protesters.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/10/AR2011021003134....

The Washington Post...

Mubarak spurns opposition demands to leave power immediately
Gallery
Day 17: Egypt government warns protesters of military takeover as pressure on Mubarak grows
Egypt's foreign minister warned Thursday that the army could seize control of the country if protesters do not stop the anti-government demonstrations that have been underway for 17 days.

By Craig Whitlock , Ernesto Londono and Leila Fadel
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, February 10, 2011; 4:23 PM

CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, defiantly rejecting opposition demands that he leave power immediately, vowed late Thursday that he would follow through with his plans to transfer authority to an elected government after his term ends in September and would continue efforts to amend Egypt's constitution in the meantime.
This Story

In a televised address to the nation, the 82-year-old president indicated that he was taking steps to lift a widely despised emergency law. But the speech fell far short of demands that he give up the office he has held for nearly 30 years and start an immediate transition to democracy.

As Mubarak vowed to remain in office, a huge crowd in Cairo's Tahrir Square shouted angrily, "Get out, get out." Many demonstrators removed their shoes and pointed the soles toward a large white sheet used as a screen to show the president's speech. The gesture is one of contempt in the Arab world.

Mubarak's speech came after 17 days of massive citizen demonstrations. Earlier in the day, Egypt's military said the longtime leader would meet protesters' demands, and CIA director Leon Panetta told U.S. lawmakers that Mubarak could step aside as soon as Thursday night.

Although much uncertainty remained, the military seemed to be taking a leading role in a potential transfer of power, announcing on state television that it would "consider what procedures and measures" could be taken "to protect the nation and the achievements and aspirations of the great people of Egypt."

Testifying in Washington before the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday morning, Panetta had said, "There is a strong likelihood that Mubarak may step down this evening."

Egypt's information minister later told state television that Mubarak would not resign. But - given the plethora of statements by other officials, and the fact that Egypt's constitution says a presidential resignation triggers an automatic succession process - observers said the minister's statement did not negate reports that some sort of power transfer was underway.

In a speech in Michigan, President Obama told university students Thursday afternoon that "America will continue to do everything that we can to support an orderly and genuine transition to democracy in Egypt." Saying it was clear that "we are witnessing history unfold," Obama described the events in Egypt as "a moment of transformation that's taking place because the people of Egypt are calling for change." He said it was "young people who've been at the forefront, a new generation, your generation, who want their voices to be heard."

Obama's remarks were carried live by Egypt's state-run television, signaling a shift in the tenor of its coverage.

One possibility discussed before Mubarak's address was that he would cede some or most of his powers to another entity - possibly his newly appointed vice president, Omar Suleiman, or the military, a powerful force in Egyptian society. Another possibility was that the army was trying to force Mubarak out.

About 6:30 p.m. in Cairo (11:30 a.m. in Washington), state television announced that Mubarak would address the nation within hours. State television also reported that Mubarak was at the presidential palace in Heliopolis, north of Cairo, meeting first with Suleiman and then with Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq.

In an interview at midday, opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei told Foreign Policy magazine that he had no confidence in the ability of Suleiman or other government or military officials to oversee a transition to democracy.

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Mubarak Will NOT Resign - Protesters Call for Egypt President Mubarak to "Get Out

The New York Times...

February 10, 2011
Mubarak Refuses to Step Down
By ANTHONY SHADID AND DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

CAIRO — President Hosni Mubarak told the Egyptian people Thursday that he would delegate more authority to his vice president, Omar Suleiman, but that he would not resign his post, contradicting earlier reports that he would step aside and surprising hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered to hail his departure from the political scene.

In a nationally televised address following a tumultuous day of political rumors and conflicting reports, Mr. Mubarak said he would “admit mistakes” and honor the sacrifices of young people killed in the three-week uprising, but that he would continue to “shoulder my responsibilities” until September, and did not give a firm indication that he would cede political power.

Even as Mr. Mubarak spoke, angry chants were shouted from huge crowds in Cairo who had anticipated his resignation but were instead confronted with a plea from the president to support continued rule by him and his chosen aides. People waved their shoes in defiance, considered an insulting gesture in the Arab world.

Mr. Mubarak said the process of political change initiated by his administration, including a dialogue with opposition groups, would not be reversed. But he signaled no imminent transfer of power and blamed foreigners for seeking to interfere in Egypt’s affairs.

“We will not accept or listen to any foreign interventions or dictations,” Mr. Mubarak said, implying that pressure to resign came from abroad as opposed to masses of people demanding his ouster through his country.

His statement marked the latest twist and turn in a raucous uprising. Earlier in the day, the Egyptian military appeared poise to assert itself as the leading force in the country’s politics, declaring on state television that it would take measures “to maintain the homeland and the achievements and the aspirations of the great people of Egypt” and meet the demands of the protesters who have insisted on ending Mr. Mubarak’s 30-year rule.

Several government officials said Mr. Mubarak was expected to announce his own resignation and pass authority to Mr. Suleiman.

Reporting was contributed by Kareem Fahim, Liam Stack, Mona El-Naggar and Thanassis Cambanis from Cairo, Alan Cowell from Paris, Helene Cooper from Washington and Sheryl Stolberg from Marquette, Mich.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/10/egypt.protests/index.html?hpt=T1

CNN Editor's Note: Follow live blogging on "This Just In" and the latest tweets from CNN correspondents from the protests. Send your video, images to CNN iReport.

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- All of Egypt awaited a highly anticipated speech by President Hosni Mubarak Thursday night in which he was expected to announce that, after weeks of mounting popular pressure, he was standing down.

Various reports circulated over Mubarak's fate and exactly what would unfold next in Egypt, including some that said Vice President Omar Suleiman would take charge.

But massive crowds in Cairo's jam-packed Tahrir Square, rowdy with revolutionary fervor, were already bursting in celebration. They erupted in cheers of "Down, down Mubarak," waiting for what they hoped would be a moment that fulfilled their demand.

"I'm so overwhelmed," said Shahira Amin, a former state television anchor who quit to join the protests. "This is the moment millions of Egyptians have been waiting for and it's about to happen."

One senior Egyptian official told CNN that Mubarak is expected to announce that he is yielding power to the nation's military, although the information minister denied on state television that the embattled leader is stepping down.
Obama: Moment of transformation in Egypt

The Egyptian official told CNN the political process -- which included dialogue between the government and opposition representatives -- for implementing reforms and a civilian transition lacked support and the government was forced to step outside the realm of "constitutional authority."

"This is not a coup in the traditional sense," the official said. "But this is a transfer of the system of government from the civilian to military. The military is stepping up, recognizing its responsibility to the Egyptian people.

The official said "definite and conclusive steps" were taken to implement reform but the political process did not garner enough support from Egypt or its global allies. "Now we have to go outside the constitutional frame," he said.

The reports of a possible transfer of power to the military came after senior officers met and issued what they called communique No. 1, which said their discussions were ongoing on "what can be achieved to preserve the homeland and the gains of the Egyptian people."

Mubarak, who has firmly ruled Egypt for almost three decades, met with Suleiman and Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq in closed-door talks Thursday night, state television said.

Mubarak will deliver a rare live television address from the presidential headquarters Thursday night, state-run TV said. It will be the third time he has spoken publicly since the protests began on January 25.

They chanted "Civil, civil, not military!" as reports came in about the possible military takeover. But others in Tahrir Square said they would welcome such a change.

A senior U.S. official told CNN that Mubarak had agreed to yield power to his vice president.

The official cited high-ranking contacts within the Egyptian government and called the information reliable but expressed some skepticism. "We need to see it happen," the official said.

U.S. President Barack Obama, however said the world was watching "history unfold," lending credence to reports that Mubarak's rule is coming to an end.

"We are following today's events in Egypt very closely and we'll have more to say as this plays out but, what is absolutely clear is that we are witnessing history unfold," Obama said. "It's a moment of extraordinary transformation because the people of Egypt are calling for change.".

And CIA Director Leon Panetta told U.S. lawmakers that there was a "strong likelihood that Mubarak may step down this evening, which would be significant in terms of where the hopefully orderly transition in Egypt takes place."

"We are continuing to monitor the situation," Panetta said. "I don't know the particulars of how this would work but I would assume that he would turn over more of his powers to Suleiman to direct the country and direct the reforms that will hopefully take place."

Egypt's constitution, however, mandates that if the president steps down, the speaker of the parliament assumes power, not the vice president.

Mubarak could deputize Suleiman, the former intelligence chief, to take control. But for that to happen under the current constitution, Mubarak would have to retain the title of president.

The secretary-general of Egypt's ruling party confirmed that a transition was indeed under way.

But Hossam Badrawi, a prominent doctor who was appointed to the ruling party's post last Saturday, he said did not know whether Mubarak intended to relinquish power Thursday.

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