Mubarak Resigns

[ism22]

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has resigned and handed power to the army.
Mubarak has quit following a historic 18-day wave of pro-democracy demonstrations by hundreds of thousands.A massive crowd in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square exploded into joy, waving Egyptian flags.
Car horns and celebratory shots in the air were heard around the city of 18 million after Vice-President Omar Suleiman made the announcement on national TV just after nightfall.
Background: Mubarak's legacy: a country in turmoil
Historic images: the protests that brought down a dictator
"In these grave circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave his position as president of the republic," a grim-looking Mr Suleiman said.
"He has mandated the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the state. God is our protector and succour."
Nobel Peace laureate Mohammed ElBaradei, whose young suporters were among the organisers of the protest movement, said: ‘‘This is the greatest day of my life."
"The country has been liberated after decades of repression," he said, adding that he expected a "beautiful" transition of power."
Up until yesterday, Mubarak said he would stay until September elections, while handing powers to his vice-president
President Barack Obama will make a statement today on Mubarak’s decision to step down, a White House spokesman said.
The news came after protesters and police clashed in the north Sinai town of Al-Arish, in which officials said one protester died and 20 people are injured.
The unidentified protester was killed in an exchange of gunfire between the two sides when protesters tried to free detainees from a police station.
The clashes came as massive nationwide rallies demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak raged for an 18th day.
About 1000 protesters broke off from a larger group demonstrating in the city and went to a police station, throwing firebombs and burning police cars.
The clash came as a million people poured onto the streets of Egypt after the main weekly Muslim prayers across the country to demand Mubarak’s resignation.

About bloody time I reckon...

[stephenj]

makes you realise how good weve got it in australia; we didnt have to go to those lengths to get john howard out?

[Andrew Walker]

It actually makes me realise just how apathetic we Australians are. The GOVT screws us time and time again and we just sit on our asses tolerate it and do nothing whatsoever about it.

Other countries the people come out onto the street and attempt to topple the GOVT

[supermario]

AW, while the Govt "Screws us" here in Australia, we have it Alot better than those in egypt or those in countries lead by dictators or Military coups and juntas.

I think the fact that we can, as a collective country, vote a party in or out (or in the case of the last election, give a warning to the governing party to shape up) shows that we do not need to get into violent protests to voice the opinion.

When our right to vote, or our right to vote for opposition, i'll be in the front of the protest with you.

[Andrew Walker]

Hooray we get to vote for either one of two parties who in essence are no different from one another. Or an independent or Green candidate who then jump ship to help form a GOVT.I voted Independant at the last election becuase I was sick of both parties only to then see that Oakeshott grub jump into bed with the Labor party I didnt vote for Labor and I cedrtainly didnt want to see the candidate I voted for jump into bed with them and help them form a GOVT Once we vote them in we see them bactrack on there promises. Whilst all the way along they are lining there own pockets at our expense.

Yes we are better off than countries like Egypt But some of the things our GOVT does and passes through.Would not be tolerated in other countries. But we here will sit down have a beer and a barbie and say she ll be right mate