There are reports coming from all news sources that Mubarak is “likely to cede power” sometime tonight.
President Hosni Mubarak will meet the demands of protesters, military and ruling party officials, the Associated Press reported Thursday, in the strongest indication yet that Egypt’s longtime president may be about to give up power.
The military’s supreme council was meeting Thursday, without Mubarak, its commander in chief, and announced on state TV its “support of the legitimate demands of the people,” AP said.
CIA director Leon Panetta, testifying on Capitol Hill Thursday, told the House Intelligence Committee”there is a strong likelihood that Mubarak will step down this evening.”
Most reports indicate that he will turn power over to new VP Omar Suleiman and the Egyptian military.
There is a strong likelihood that embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will step down Thursday night, CIA Director Leon Panetta told the U.S. Congress.
Mubarak has agreed to yield power to his vice president, a senior U.S. official told CNN, citing contacts within the Egyptian government.
This official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information, said that given the mixed signals sent throughout the crisis that “we need to see it happen.”
But the source said the information came from reliable and ranking officials in the Mubarak regime. Asked when the transfer of power might take place, the official said: “We are told soon is the plan.”
The secretary-general of Egypt’s ruling party confirmed Thursday that a transition was underway and he expected Mubarak to address the nation soon.
This happened as a general strike by all levels of Egyptians began. There’s some indication that protests may not end
Thursday’s sudden developments came as thousands of Egyptians again took to the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian towns and cities, calling for President Mubarak to step down.
Doctors, bus drivers, lawyers and textile workers were on strike in Cairo on Thursday, with unions reporting walkouts and protests across the country.
The BBC’s Jon Leyne, in Cairo’s Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the focal point of the anti-Mubarak protests, reports that the protesters there are starting to celebrate after hearing news of Mr Mubarak’s possible departure.
But Egyptian Information Minister Anas el-Fekky told Reuters news agency: “The president is still in power and he is not stepping down. The president is not stepping down and everything you heard in the media is a rumour.”
Comments
94 responses to “Breaking News: Mubarak likely to step Down”
Copied this from the very last sentence of the Wapo article you linked to above:
***Demonstrators are calling for a “million man” protest Friday.***
It would be good if Mubarak was gone, but I still fear for women in the aftermath of this revolution.
Coup………no surprise.
Why do you call it a coup? It’s true that, for now, Sulieman is trying to hang on to the reins of power, but Mubarak’s ouster was instigated by an incredibly broad-based and growing popular revolt, not by a small group of usurpers, which is what is meant by a coup.
Events in Egypts are still only beginning to unfold. None of us knows how it will play out, but there is at least some cause to be hopeful (and even joyful).
It seems to be a soft coup because the military is putting pressure on the president. Not a traditional coup.
I think it’s a military coup to install Suleiman. Then the crackdown will come.
I’m just looking over history…….and what
I’ve seen in these situations. You are right, we don’t know how it will play out, but I am on the side of the people. Will they get what they want, will they settled for less, or will they end up settling for what they will get from the Military.
I am reminded of Russia, and Putin.
Yes, I think it’s a military coup too, probably to install Suleiman. Reading it, I thought it was strange that the military had suddenly switched loyalties from Mubarak to the protesters.
It hasn’t switched loyalties. I think they’re more worried about the general strike having a real impact on civil unrest.
The square has been shouting “civil”
I agree.
Yes, ‘switched loyalties’ should have been in quotes.
This is very good news. Now we all have to keep our fingers crossed that the situation doesn’t spin into chaos. I think there’s a good chance here that Egypt may be poised for genuine transformation if they have a chance to bolster and nurture democratic institutions with the right people, in the right places.
I felt a moment of real fear listening to the young Google executive say he and his friends were prepared to die for the cause. I’m sure that’s where you have to be to push for change under these regimes but those tanks and armaments are very real and show no mercy. I thought OMG, we’re going to end up with a bloodbath tomorrow.
I hope for the country and the region that the Egyptian people pull this off. If they do, it will be a truly stunning achievement.
monaeltahawy Mona Eltahawy
Remember that it was military police behind disappearances, detentions and torture over past few days. Free civilian-ruled #Egypt! #Jan25
I’m thinking a lot about this. The VP and the military aren’t a real change.
I wonder if the protesters will stop and I wonder how much real change this brings.
It seems like they’re trying to stop the momentum towards people rule in some ways.
That’s what I’m thinking too. This is about changing puppeteers and hoping perception changes as a result.
Plus this is exactly what the U.S. wants. Strongman torturer in control.
bostonboomer says:
Plus this is exactly what the U.S. wants. Strongman torturer in control.
yup. They saved this non concession of Mubarak stepping down for a rainy day and storms were in the forecast….now the protesters will be expected to stop….why because one of the world’s most blood soaked torturer is in charge? I hope not
I’ll wait for the outcome before I get my hopes too high.
This much needed change also strikes me that the Egyptian leaders have not suddenly been visited by an “epiphany” where they stand back to reconsider their position and are siding with the people.
It’s what comes after that counts.
They said the kids couldn’t do it.
The people have my solidarity. I think the strikes have made the difference. I don’t think the Mubarak regime or even the US thought the protesters would go there.
MSNBC Maddow and others saying Suleiman may have short term transitional role but they don’t think he’ll be able to stay long term bc the people have rejected him… from their lips to the universe’s ears.
They’ve definitely made a difference. And the world is watching, which may have a real effect.
switched to Wolf (yuck)n for a sec just to see what the CNN headline is–
CNN says Egypt is denying Mubarak is leaving?
Obama is such a loser. Why is encouraging a pep rally atmosphere at this moment?
I think the purpose of the presser is not about Egypt. It just got added in at the last moment. It is a WTF rally. They’ve got the wall paper up and everything. It’s too sell us on how good it will feel when they take more stuff away from us and give it to their corporate donors.
I figured that. Unfortunate that all channels were turning to his feed to get his reaction to this moment in history and the first thing we saw was basically POTUS grunting.
“We are watching history unfold. Moment of transformation…. young people have been at the forefront… your generation who wants their voices to be heard…”
Whatever, O. you were gutless… on the wrong side of that history.
Wonder what Reagan book he got that out of?
He probably thinks the baby boomers in Egypt should be detained and tortured…
Ghonim is saying Mission Accomplished.
Dima_Khatib Dima Khatib أنا ديمة
By the way.. Obama didn’t say anything … more of the same #jan25 #egypt
Dima is correct. Said nothing and behaved like he was still Candidate Obama and not POTUS.
Just joining the party. So Mubarak is ready to make announcement?
Depends on who you hear. There’s an egyptian government official still insisting now but that doesn’t appear to be what’s in the press.
I saw tweet saying it will happen in next 45 minutes…(see below)
Mink, they’ve been saying half an hour, 45 minutes for the past hour 😉
Damn…I hope it is soon.
Dima_Khatib 2:26pm via Web
35 minutes to go.. before Mubarak TV address.. Will he be punctual? Or will he be like the famous curfew that never took place? #jan25
The press and also Egyptian state tv says he’s going to make an announcement. He hasn’t made it yet. We’re waiting. Won’t know for sure he’s leaving until he says it, but Leon Panetta testified to Congress that it’s likely Mubarak will be stepping down.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed regrets for the death of Egyptian Khairy Ramadan Aly
Mubarak sure is taking his time to let go, if he’s stepping down.
Wonk, see the tweet below. Even if he steps down and hands power to Suleiman, he still has to be president in name only. Have you heard this before?
I’ve heard of that, but there are constitutional changes that can be made. Cairo University law school faculty has been working on this from what I understand.
oxfordgirl 2:05pm via TweetDeck
Mubarak can hand over his power to VP, but to do this under constitution must remain President in name #egypt #Jan25
If #Mubarak now comes on & says he is handing powers 2 Suleiman, but staying President in name, I fear all hell will let loose #egypt #Jan25
the protesters won’t accept that latter one at all
on tv, they’re talking about constitutional changes being made to facilitate Mubarak leaving so he doesn’t have to be president in name either
That is a relief.
REUTERSFLASH 1:54pm via Web
Mubarak will announce constitutional procedures before handing over powers – al Arabiya
Retweeted by monaeltahawy
oxfordgirl 2:16pm via TweetDeck
45 minutes to go, Inshallah it will be bye bye from #Mubarak
9:04pm YouTube.com has linked to our the Al Jazeera channel across their entire site. http://aje.me/YouTB
via Live blog Feb 10
“Fever pitch at Liberation Square” — that’s what I heard on AJE.
I just put this video from “Departure Friday” last week up on my blog, in solidarity. Putting it here too for luck. Fingers crossed.
Can someone please explain to me why Chris Matthews seems to be anchoring the MSNBC coverage? The man is a complete idiot. He even claimed that the U.S. is playing “no role” in the events in Egypt.
Every one serious there has the flu?
Robert Naiman: Egypt Protesters on Verge of Victory? Watch for the Demands
From a commenter on my blog (Joyce Arnold):
Would be huge if that panned out.
Al Arabiya: Egypt Information Minister tells Reuters that “Mubarak will certainly not be stepping down”
There’s been conflicting reports going on for the past hour or so.
Just got this tweet:
ElBaradei Mohamed ElBaradei
I am closely following the situation. We are almost there #Jan25
Obama is getting advice on Egypt from Elliott Abrams. Good grief!
I think Obama has proven he’s irrelevant the past three weeks. imho.
In the WH meeting press were told that they are having trouble getting SOS Clinton “on board” with the WH message. What is the WH message? Gobblty-gook.
do you have a link on that?
The link is up in my original comment on Elliott Abrams. I don’t have it open anymore…
thx, sorry I was replying this comment from the admin panel so I didn’t see where this was nesting.
Laura Rozen:
Ugh!!
Where the hell is he, taking a nap?
polishing his crown
He’s probably making sure the entire egyptian treasury is being transferred to a bank in Doha
Seeing this circulate on twitter:
He’s speaking… doesn’t sound like he’s leaving.
nope, it sure doesn’t
He’s saying exactly what was rumored out of Al Arabiya…
yup
Okay, he’s just making more empty promises …
this is starting off like Nixon’s I am not a crook speech
Doesn’t sound like he is stepping down, but putting everybody in prison.
Yup.
Mubarak in a nutshell:
Mistakes were made, but I’m not going anywhere.
He’s made a fool of the CIA.
Not very smart. They assassinate leaders who do that.
Either Obama is doing what Adviser Zbignew Brzezinski is suggesting via the channels or he got ‘punked’ by Mubarak. After all, he negotiated away the Public Option and threw us under the auto bus!
Change we can believe in…if we’re delusional.
This is completely verbatim what the Al Arabiya report said he would say.
#Mubarak, I will get to the bottom of this crisis & find this #dictator that has caused this #crisis, blah, blah, blah #egypt #jan25 #tahrir
My not too diplomatic assessment of Hosni ‘Dictator’ Mubarak’s speech to the the Egyptian people.
He thinks the protesters are complaining because they don’t like his personality?!
He’s worse than Nixon at this!
He’s delusional.
Yup, and speaking to them as though he is the ‘patriarch’ and they are but spoiled/upset children isn’t helping any, just getting people even more upset.
Tahrir is roaring.
“I’ve done everything for you” he says.
Talking to adults like they’re his children.
Tell, me about it! Gosh, listening to him, you didn’t have to hear the end, straight on, it was clear, he wasn’t going anywhere.
The crowd is no longer happy. Throwing shoes in the air.
OMG Wolf Blitzer is soooo stupid, the crowds are roaring for Mubarak to leave…
and Wolf says he’s confused why the crowd is exuberant over Mubarak’s speech.
CNN needs to let Wolf go. He’s really awful. Wedeman is correcting Wolf on the nonsense he’s been saying.
What bullshit.
Anderson Cooper sounds like a fool, too.
I don’t understand why everybody’s so surprised.
People really have come to believe life is like a video game.