Saturday, February 12, 2011

A furious wave of protest swept Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak from power Friday after 30 years of one-man rule, sparking jubilation on the streets and sending a warning to autocrats across the Arab world and beyond.

Mubarak, the second Arab leader to be overthrown by a popular uprising in a month, handed power to the army after 18 days of relentless rallies against poverty, corruption and repression caused support from the armed forces to evaporate.

Ecstatic Egyptians celebrated a peaceful “White Revolution” in carnival mood on the streets and people embraced in Tahrir, or Liberation, Square, the main focus for protest, claiming a victory over their “Pharaoh” they hardly dared to believe.

“Now we have our freedom and can breathe and demand our rights. In Mubarak’s era, we never saw a good day. Hopefully now we will see better times,” said salesman Mostafa Kamal.
Egyptians from all walks of life, Muslims and Christians, liberals and Islamists, poured into Cairo to join a street party that ran late into the night.

A grim-faced and ashen Vice President Omar Suleiman announced the handover on state television after an extraordinary national outpouring of rage brought vast crowds into the streets across the country.
“In these grave circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave his position as president of the republic,” he said.

“He has mandated the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the state. God is our protector and succor.”
A free and fair presidential election has been promised for September, though some question the army’s appetite for real democracy.
Mubarak, 82, had flown with his family from Cairo to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, a ruling party official said.

There was a note of caution in the background, however, over how far the military under Field Marshal Mohammad Hussein Tantawi, Mubarak’s veteran defense minister, are ready to permit a democracy – especially since the hitherto banned Islamist Muslim Brotherhood is one of the best organized forces.

Earlier in the day, the council vowed to guide the country to greater democracy. It said was committed “to shepherding the legitimate demands of the people and endeavoring to their implementation within a defined timetable until a peaceful transition to a democratic society aspired to by the people.”

In a statement, the higher military council said it would take measures for an interim phase and hoped to realize people’s hopes. Striking the even-handed note the military has maintained throughout the crisis, it praised Mubarak for his contributions to the country and for resigning “in the interests of the nation” and the “martyrs” who died protesting.

Tantawi heads the military council, according a military source. Al-Arabiya said an army statement would announce the sacking of the Cabinet, the suspension of the upper and lower houses of Parliament and that the head of the constitutional court would lead with the military council.

Egypt’s powerful military gave guarantees earlier Friday that promised democratic reforms would be carried out but angry protesters had intensified an uprising against Mubarak, marching on the presidential palace and the state television tower.
It was an effort by the army to defuse the revolt but, in disregarding protesters’ key demand for Mubarak’s immediate removal, it failed to calm the turmoil that has disrupted the economy and rattled the volatile Middle East.

A senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Al-Katatni, said Egyptians had achieved the main goal of their popular uprising, but also expressed caution about the military’s role in Egypt’s future.

The crisis that toppled Mubarak was the worst since British-backed King Farouk was toppled in a military coup in 1952. Generals have ruled ever since, though Mubarak, and his predecessor Anwar Sadat in the 1970s, rarely appeared in uniform and kept active-service officers in the background.

Mubarak resisted calls for reform even as public bitterness grew over corruption, deteriorating infrastructure and rampant poverty in a country where 40 percent live below or near the poverty line. Up to the last hours, Mubarak sought to cling to power, handing some of his authorities to Suleiman while keeping his title.

But an explosion of protests Friday rejecting the move appeared to have pushed the military into forcing him out completely. Hundreds of thousands marched throughout the day in cities across the country as soldiers stood by, besieging his palaces in Cairo and Alexandria and the state television building. A governor of a southern province was forced to flee to safety in the face of protests there.

Following the announcement of Mubarak’s resignation protesters waved flags, set off fireworks and beat drums to celebrate this new chapter in modern Egyptian history. SMS text messages of congratulation zapped over mobile phone networks among ordinary Egyptians, hailing a victory for people power.
A speaker made the announcement in Tahrir Square where hundreds of thousands danced and sang, chanting: “The people have brought down the regime.” Others shouted: “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest). Women ululated in jubilation.

Some declared an end to injustice. Others said they finally saw hope in a country they feel has lost its place as the political, cultural and economic heart of the Arab world. Most were just proud to be Egyptian on a day when history was made.

Outside the main presidential palace in the Heliopolis neighborhood, protesters shouted “God is greatest!” as they hugged one another, danced and ululated. Some collapsed, overcome with emotion.
Tantawi later drove past the palace and saluted cheering crowds.

Outside the Oruba presidential palace in northern Cairo, where tens of thousands had marched during the day, one man sprawled on the grass, saying he couldn’t believe it. “Corruption and 30 years of injustice are over,” said Alaa al-Naggar, a 23-year-old. “I felt we had no value as humans. Now, Egyptians are proud of their country,” he said.
“The Egyptians got their dignity back. We did it, that’s what counts,” said Fatima Mahfouz, a psychologist. “It’s amazing, I am in disbelief,” said the 32 year old, one of many Egyptians who remember no president other than Mubarak.

Cars and music filled the streets of Cairo and Alexandria. “Game Over!” and “Checkmate” read some of the banners in Tahrir Square.

“We can’t believe it. This is the end of all the injustices,” said Mohammad Abu Bakr, 17, a student.
Outside Egypt’s state television building, protesters shook hands with soldiers stationed there to protect the site. Some jumped up on to their tanks. – Agencies