Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Steps Down

Published February 11, 2011

| FoxNews.com

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Feb. 11: Anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday. slideshow

AP2011

Feb. 11: Anti-government protesters make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday.

DEVELOPING: CAIRO -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down and handed control of the country to the military, Vice President Omar Suleiman said Friday in an address on state television.

The announcement touched off a wave of jubilation throughout Cairo's Tehrir Square, where tens of thousands of anti-government protesters had gathered demanding Mubarak's ouster hours after he failed to do so in an address on Thursday.

"In these difficult circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave the position of the presidency," Suleiman said. He has commissioned the armed forces council to direct the issues of the state."

Mubarak had 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 palace in Cairo and Alexandria and the state TV building.

Nobel Peace laureate and leading Egyptian democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei applauded Mubarak's resignation.

"This is the greatest day of my life," he told the Associated Press. "The country has been liberated after decades of repression."

ElBaradei said he expects a "beautiful" transition of power.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Mubarak Staying in Office, Passing Authority to VP

Egyptian president addresses nation

Jubilation as President Mubarak stands down

Protesters in Tahrir Square, Cairo, celebrate the news that Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, has resigned from power.

EGYPT: Hosni Mubarak steps down

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, 82, has stepped down and Vice President Omar Suleiman has named a military council to run the country's affairs, state television reported Friday.

The announcement came after 18 days of mass protests against Mubarak's 30-year rule.

Protesters amassed in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday reacted to the announcement with whistles and cheers, shouting "Egypt is free," and "Allahu Akhbar," God is great.

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske

Photo: Egyptians crowd inside Tahrir Square on Friday. Credit: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

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