U.S., Egypt in talks; Mubarak ‘fed up’

An anti-government protester beckons others to support those at the frontline of clashes with pro-government supporters, near the Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo, on Thursday. Photo: AP

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Embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has said he is “fed up” and wants to quit but fears that the nation will “sink in chaos” if he steps down.

“He is fed up with being President and would like to leave office now, but cannot, he says, for fear that the country would sink into chaos,” ABC News, which recently interviewed Mr. Mubarak, said.

In his first interview after pro-democracy protests gained momentum, the President blamed opposition Muslim Brotherhood for the violence in Cairo and said “I was very unhappy about yesterday. I do not want to see Egyptians fighting each other.”

On U.S. President Barack Obama’s apparent calls for his resignation, Mr. Mubarak said he told his American counterpart, “You don’t understand the Egyptian culture and what would happen if I step down now.” He, however, maintained that Mr. Obama is a “very good man.”

When asked about seeing people shouting insults about him and wanting him gone, Mr. Mubarak who has been ruling Egypt for 30 years said, “I don’t care what people say about me. Right now I care about my country, I care about Egypt.”

The 82-year-old leader said he had never planned to run for Presidency during the September election, neither had any plan to pass on the mantle to his son Gamal, who was also present during the interview.

On his feeling after addressing the nation on Monday night when he said he would not run for Presidential election again, Mr. Mubarak said he felt “relief“.

According to the report, Mr. Mubarak was along with his family and his palace was heavily guarded by armed troops, tanks and barbed wires. Protesters’ Friday deadline for Mr. Mubarak’s resignation is ending today.

“I would never run away... I will die on this soil,” he said as the President defended his legacy, recounting the many years he has spent leading his country.

Talks about Mubarak stepping aside now

The Obama administration is in talks with top Egyptian officials about the possible immediate resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and the formation of an interim government that could prepare the country for free and fair elections later this year.

U.S. officials said on Thursday the creation of a military-backed caretaker government in Egypt is one of several ideas being discussed as anti—Mubarak protests escalate in the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian cities.

The officials said the United States isn’t seeking to impose a solution on Egypt but stressed that the administration had made a judgement that Mr. Mubarak has to leave office soon if there is to be a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive diplomatic talks that are continuing.

The talks were first reported by The New York Times.

The simmering bitterness and bloodshed of Egypt's popular uprising against President Mubarak has continued for a second day throughout the country.




The Egyptian vice president has called for the protests to end. Speaking on state television he said all the protestors' demands are being addressed. Omar Suleiman also said President Mubarak will not stand at the next election due in September. this has been a key demand of the opposition - the main reason for them not talking to the government.

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