Mubarak Steps Down
Just a day after refusing to step down, Mubarak has resigned, abdicating control of the Egyptian government to the military.
BBC's live feed, which is mostly just covering the jubilant Egyptian crowd, here.
UPDATE (10:27 PST): Egyptian military makes a statement on state TV. "The higher counsel of the armed forces will issue a statement that will outline measures that will be followed...acknowledges that there is no other way than the legitimacy desired by the people...the armed forces salutes Hosni Mubarak for his service...armed forces salutes victims of violence."
UPDATE (12:10 PST): Obama addresses Mubarak resignation.
People of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard, and Egypt will never be the same....This is not an end of Egypt's transition, it's a beginning...I am confident that the people of Egypt can find the answers and do so peacefully...Egyptians have made it clear that nothing less than genuine Democracy will carry the day...Above all, this transition must bring all of Egypt's voices to the table...The U.S. will continue to be a friend and partner to Egypt, standing by to provide whatever assistance is necessary...For Egypt, it was the moral force of non-violence that bent the arc of history toward justice once more...There's something in the soul that cries out for freedom...
Reactions Across the Web:
- Jonathan Tobin (Contentions): The Next Step for Obama Must Still Be Support For Freedom
- Michael Rubin (The Corner): Egypt: What Next?
- Ellis Goldberg (Foreign Affairs): Mubarakism Without Mubarak
(Ed.'s note: This post will be updated to reflect new developments throughout the day. Please add your own comments in the conversation below!)
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Dec '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
So essentially this is a non-violent military coup.
Jun '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Not surprising given Egypt's recent history. Many predicted this. Now it will be interesting to see if the military council asks Suleiman to pursue another life as well. I can't imagine that people on the street will want him around either.
Jun '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Suleiman looked rather ashen-faced when he delivered the news about Mubarak's decision and the military council assumption of control...quite a contrast to the jubilation in the streets. C'mon Omar, don't worry...be happy!
Dec '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
What do you think will happen? Will the military install a new leader to rule until a new election can be held? Will said election be held in a timely manner? Will it be fair? How big an influence will the MB be?
May '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
So, other than that, how do you think Mubarak's speech went?
Feb '11
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Nickolas - " So essentially this is a non-violent military coup"
And as such, does it mean that the Vice-President Mr. Suleiman is gone?
Jun '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
I'm sure the administration's "smart diplomacy" will get the credit ...
It's what happens next that matters more, however.
Jun '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Hilarious!
Dec '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
I wonder what percentage of the military are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. What percentage of the officer corps? What percentage of the top brass?
Dec '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Leith: Nickolas - " So essentially this is a non-violent military coup"
And as such, does it mean that the Vice-President Mr. Suleiman is gone? ·
I don't know, but probably in time. It's all up to the military now. Maybe the military will keep him around until elections. Maybe the military will move up the election day.
May '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Well, where are we now? 1979 or 1989?
May '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
I wonder if elections are still on for September, and how that will work.
Or maybe the military will decide that there's too much risk of instability and decide to leave themselves in charge indefinitely.
What happens if, after a few months, the crowd demonstrates again, this time against the military government?
Sep '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
1789?
Oct '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Congrats egypt. now don't screw it up by putting the Muslim Brotherhood in power.
Iran - Mullahs
Gaza - Hamas
Lebanon - Hezbollah
Dec '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Peter Hintz
1789? · Feb 11 at 9:59am
I have a feeling that the Middle East--barring Israel--will be stuck in that century, or earlier ones, for a very long time.
May '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Well, now that the military has taken over, is anyone surprised that top Egyptian military officials were in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago for a "pre-scheduled" defense meeting? Just a coincidence?
Jun '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
I was thinking along those lines myself. Here's a link to an article by Ellis Goldberg suggesting something similar - basically that a genuine transition to democracy (in the form of civilian control) is unlikely. It's an interesting read (h/t: HotAir).
It does make one marvel at our own system though, that somehow we have managed to maintain and honor (with acknowledged tensions) a remarkable brand of US civilian-military relations. And how different it is from places where military authoritarianism is the norm.
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
Jim Chase
Here's a link to an article by Ellis Goldberg suggesting something similar - basically that a genuine transition to democracy (in the form of civilian control) is unlikely. It's an interesting read (h/t: HotAir).
It does make one marvel at our own system though, that somehow we have managed to maintain and honor (with acknowledged tensions) a remarkable brand of US civilian-military relations. And how different it is from places where military authoritarianism is the norm. · Feb 11 at 10:40am
Thanks for the link, Jim. The news outlets are way behind on this story, and everyone -- including the White House -- is in reactive mode, just scrambling to keep up with the latest developments. I will update the post with any helpful links that you or other members find and post here in the comments section.
Feb '11
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
So who is in control of the military? Mubarak probably shouldnt have just handed the country over to the military. Who know what will happen.
Dec '10
Re: Mubarak Steps Down
From short piece at Stratfor...