Egypt crowds cheer: Mubarak steps down

Vice President Omar Suleiman has announced that Hosni Mubarak will step down as president of Egypt. The statement follows eighteen days of protests and labor strikes by millions of Egyptian people. Power in Egypt has been passed on to the Egyptian military.

Last night, Mubarak said he intended to remain in office until the end of his term in September, but handed over some control of the government to his newly appointed Vice President, Omar Suleiman. However, that did not satisfy the crowds that have been demanding the resignation of Mubarak.

Mubarak reportedly left the Presidential Place Thursday night, after demonstrators refused to leave the streets of Cairo with turnover of power to the Vice President.

Friday’s announcement of Mubarak’s resignation has brought jubilation to the people of Egypt, with millions celebrating in Liberation Square.

The demonstrations in Cairo were sparked by high unemployment and claims that the Mubarak government did not hold fair elections.  The revolution hopes to bring true democracy to Egypt, through free elections and better living conditions for the large number of poor, working-class Egyptians.

Riots in Cairo follow Mubarak announcement not to seek re-election

February 2, 2011 - Supporters of Egypt’s President Mubarak are challenging the protesters that have been in the streets of Cairo for the past nine days. The clashes between pro and anti-government demonstrators have sparked violence in the massive, persistent crowds.

Today’s events follow remarks by President Mubarak last night when he announced that he would not seek another term as Egypt’s leader. However, demonstrators have been demanding his immediate resignation.

“The army’s role and its ultimate game-plan have remained opaque, with soldiers seeming to fraternize with protesters, without moving against the elite to which its officers belong. While the military has said it will not use force against peaceful protesters, the signs on Wednesday suggested that any gap between it and Mr. Mubarak was narrowing,” according to The New York Times.

On Tuesday night, President Obama made a statement after Mubarak’s announcement encouraging the long-time ally of the United States to step down without delay.

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Egyptian protester set fire to Ruling Party Headquarters

Four days of protests by tens of thousands of people have brought rioting crowds to set fire to the Ruling Party Headquarters in Cairo. The blaze, set Friday, January 28, 2011, has led to worries that President Mubarak’s Egyptian government may be overthrown. A revolution in Egypt threatens stability in Middle East and may have repercussions in the United States.

In a statement tonight, President Obama urged the Egyptian government to refrain from using violence against the demonstrators, and to stop blocking public access to cell phone service and internet access.

“I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protesters," Obama said.

In a statement earlier today, Mubarak said he would replace his cabinet by Saturday and begin enacting reforms, in an effort to end the rioting.

Thus far, Mubarak remains in control of Egypt. However, if the military is unable to control the crowds without excessive force, the government is likely to tumble, according to MSNBC.

Most of the Egyptian protesters are under the age of thirty.

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