Update: On Friday Mubarak resigned as president of Egypt, causing mass celebrations across the country.
Mubarak’s Thursday announcement disappointed many who believed he would step down as president of Egypt or reveal surprising news about his position. Instead, he said he’ll remain as president “until authority and power has been handed over by the elected people in the coming fair and free elections.”
He said, “Satisfied with what I have offered to this nation for more than 60 years in time of war and peace, I announced would adhere to this position and announced I will remain adamant to shoulder the responsibility to protect the constitution.”
He added: “I laid down this vision to take the country from these harsh moments and I will continue to observe this implementation [of transferring power] hour by hour. I am lookin forward to the support and backing of the people’s interest to translate them into concrete reality.”
Mubarak declared at the end of the speech, “I will not separate from Egyptian soil until I am buried underneath it.”
Earlier today, rumoured reports from many news outlet stated Mubarak will announce he will step down from office. But Mubarak refuted those rumours today, and instead outlined several constitutional article amendments already leaked to the press.
Mubarak mentioned he will transfer powers to his vice president between now and September, adding to the confusion of how the country will be run for the next six months. As reported by MSNBC, “Egypt’s military announced on national television it had stepped in to secure the country and promised protesters calling for Mubarak’s ouster that all their demands would soon be met.”
After Mubarak’s speech, Al Jazeera TV reports the massive crowd at Tahir Square shouted and swore and raised their shoes in protest. Throwing your shoes at someone in power is considered as an insult in various Arab nations.
