Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak announced Tuesday he will not run for a new term in office in September elections but would serve out his term working for a smooth transfer of power on the day that a million people, maybe more, rallied across the country, demanding his immediate ouster.

Looking calm in suit and tie, Mubarak said in a televised address: “I say in all honesty and regardless of the current situation, that I did not intend to nominate myself for a new presidential term. I’ve spent enough years of my life in the service of Egypt and its people.”
His announcement drew the wrath of protesters demanding he quit now.

“I am now absolutely determined to finish my work for the nation in a way that ensures handing over its safekeeping and banner … preserving its legitimacy and respecting the constitution … I will work in the remaining months of my term to take the steps to ensure peaceful transfer of power.”
He said the country had a choice “between chaos and stability.”
“I speak to you in difficult conditions which put Egypt and its people to the test and which could drag it into the unknown,” he said.

“My first responsibility is now to bring security and stability to the nation to ensure a peaceful transition of power.”
The reforms Mubarak proposed were changing Article 76 of the constitution. That article sets rules that make it almost impossible for any realistic presidential challenge to the candidate nominated by Mubarak’s ruling party.

He also pledged to change Article 77 which currently sets each presidential term at six years, but allows the president to seek an unlimited number of terms. Mubarak ends his sixth term in September, when elections are due to be held. He also pledged to implement other reforms, including calling on the judiciary to combat corruption.
He accused opponents of being behind looting and disorder in the past week and recalled his military career as a defender of Egypt in war, saying he would not leave the country at the end of his term. “The Hosni Mubarak who speaks to you today is proud of his achievements over the years in serving Egypt and its people,” he said.
“This is my country. This is where I lived, I fought and defended its land, sovereignty and interests, and I will die on its soil,” he said, adding “history will judge me.”

He accused “political forces of adhering to their own agendas” after they rejected a call for dialogue and even after he formed a new government with “priorities and assignments” that conform to the demands of the youth.
Mubarak said that young Egyptians have the right to “peaceful demonstrations” but said people “trying to undermine the government have taken advantage” of the protesters.

Meanwhile, Al-Arabiya said Egypt’s reviled former Interior Minister Habib al-Adli will be referred to military prosecutors. There was no immediate confirmation or further details.

Mubarak’s appeal to the nation of 80 million seemed designed to reach over the heads of the young, urban dissidents gathered in city centers to the wider population fearful of change and chaos.

A group of protesters in Egypt’s Tahrir Square chanted slogans against Mubarak during the speech, rejecting his proposals to implement reforms while staying in office till an election in September.
“We will not leave, he will leave,” the group chanted.

“Friday afternoon, we will be at the palace,” they also shouted, in reference to a march planned and dubbed “The Friday of Departure” aimed at pushing him to quit office immediately.

Mubarak’s speech did little to sway Ahmad Abu al-Ela, an engineering student. “Had Mubarak said, ‘I’m going to leave,’ I would have gone. I’m going to stay until he leaves.”
Mubarak was reported to have heard a similar message from U.S. President Barack Obama.

Obama’s message was delivered to Mubarak by Frank Wisner, a respected former U.S. ambassador to Egypt who is a friend of the Egyptian president, said an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Wisner made clear that it was the American “view that his tenure as president is coming to close,” he said.
Egypt’s opposition, embracing the Muslim Brotherhood, Christians, intellectuals and others, meanwhile began to coalesce around the figure of Mohamed ElBaradei.

Earlier, ElBaradei said Mubarak must leave Egypt before the reformist opposition would start talks with the government on the future of Egypt.
“There can be dialogue but it has to come after the demands of the people are met and the first of those is that President Mubarak leaves,” ElBaradei told Al-Arabiya television.

The United States has also reached out to major figures on both sides of Egypt’s crisis Tuesday. The U.S. ambassador to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, spoke to ElBaradei. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates also spoke with Mohammad Hussein Tantawi, Egypt’s defense minister.

Gauging the numbers of protesters Tuesday was difficult. Reuters estimated it hit the million mark that activists had called for. “Mubarak wake up, today is the last day,” some shouted earlier.

Tens of thousands also rallied in the cities of Alexandria, Suez and Mansoura, north of Cairo, as well as in the southern province of Assiut and the southern city of Luxor.

In Geneva, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said Tuesday up to 300 people may have been killed in Egypt’s unrest. But security and medical sources have put the death toll at 140 people.

“Casualties have been mounting on a daily basis, with unconfirmed reports suggesting as many as 300 people may have been killed so far, more than 3,000 injured and hundreds arrested,” Pillay said in a statement.

Her spokesman Rupert Colville said the unconfirmed toll came from its network of non-governmental organizations in Egypt. “It includes prisoners killed in at least two break-outs from prisons near Cairo,” Colville told Reuters.
Early Wednesday morning, clashes were reported in Alexandria between supporters of the Mubarak regime and anti-government protesters.

Mubarak appeared to lose wholehearted backing from the army, which has said protesters’ demands are “legitimate.” The army also said troops would not open fire on protesters.
Soldiers in Tahrir Square erected barbed wire barricades but made no attempt to interfere with people. Tanks daubed with anti-Mubarak graffiti stood by.

Barbed wire barricades also ringed the presidential palace, where Mubarak is believed to be hunkered down.
“We have done the difficult part. We have taken over the street,” said protester Walid Abdel-Muttaleb, 38. “Now it’s up to the intellectuals and politicians to come together and provide us with alternatives.” – Agencies