Cairo: Finally President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak bowed down to the wish of the citizens, after a long marathon of demonstrations across the country, announcing his resignation message read by his VP Omar Suleiman said the president had handed power to the army.
Mr Suleiman said on state TV that the high command of the armed forces had taken over.
“In the name of Allah the merciful, the compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country,” he said.
“May Allah help everybody”
Later an army officer read out a statement paying tribute to Mr Mubarak for “what he has given” to Egypt but acknowledging popular power.
“There is no legitimacy other than that of the people,” the statement said.
Upon completion of Mr. Mubarakโs resignation message, millions of Egyptians, Boys, Girls, Men and Women took to the streets expressing their happiness, chanting โAllah is greatโ others in prostrations expressing their gratefulness โour dreams has come trueโ chanted the cloud of people.
โArmy and citizens are one hand โArmy should protect us yes, army rule us noโ. screamed one of the protesters.
โYouth have written the new history of Egypt with golden letters, our blood has not gone in-vain, long live Egyptโ said one of the demonstrators. โNow we have achieved the first step to rebuild our nation again, this revolution will help to bring back our wealth plundered by Mubarak and his teamโ said Ahmad.
โThe past 17 days were the most difficult days I have ever experienced in my life, the days of dictatorship has gone forever, I can feel the air of freedom, Allah is greatโ Mariam shouted.
Mubarak couldnโt with stand the increasing pressure from the protesters who promised not to leave the liberation square (Tahrirย square) until they hear good news that Mubarak has left the country.
โfor the first time weโll see transparent ballot box, for the first time weโll chose our leaders with our own voice, for the first time weโll see real competition in a free and affair elections, this regime has shown us all kinds of tyranny, Allah is greatโ screamed one of the demonstrators.
In Cairo, thousands of people gathered outside the presidential palace, in Tahrir Square and at state TV. They came out in anger following an address by Mr Mubarak on Thursday. He had been expected to announce his resignation but stopped short of stepping down, instead transferring most powers to Mr Suleiman.
“The people have brought down the regime,” they chanted in reaction to the news of his eventual resignation less than 24 hours later.
Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei said: “This is the greatest day of my life.” “You cannot understand the amount of joy and happiness of every Egyptian at the return of our humanity and our freedom.”
The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s banned Islamist opposition movement, paid tribute to the army for keeping its promises. “I salute the Egyptian people and the martyrs. This is the day of victory for the Egyptian people. The main goal of the revolution has been achieved,” said the Brotherhood’s former parliamentary leader, Mohamed el-Katatni.
Ayman Nour, Mr Mubarak’s rival for the presidency in 2005, described it as the greatest day in Egypt’s history. “This nation has been born again. These people have been born again, and this is a new Egypt,” he told al-Jazeera TV.
Meanwhile Amr Moussa, a former Egyptian foreign minister, announced that he would leave his post as secretary general of the Arab League “within weeks”, the Egyptian news agency Mena reported. He hinted that he might stand for president.
Mr. Mubarak has been President of Egypt for 30 years
