Hosni Mubarak resigns as Egypt's president after weeks of mass protests

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      Hosni Mubarak has resigned as Egypt's president and handed power to the country's military.

      Vice President Omar Suleiman made the announcement today (February 11) on state TV.

      "In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country," Suleiman said, according to BBC News.

      "May God help everybody."

      Mubarak has reportedly left Cairo for the resort of Sharm el-Sheik.

      The development comes on the 18th day of mass protests against Mubarak's 30-year rule.

      According to Al Jazeera, hundreds of thousands of people in Tahrir Square greeted Suleiman's statement with a roar of approval.

      Many people cried, cheered, hugged, and chanted, "We have brought down the regime."

      "I have waited, I have worked all my adult life to see the power of the people come to the fore and show itself. I am speechless," pro-democracy campaigner Dina Magdi told Al Jazeera in Tahrir Square.

      You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.

      Comments

      1 Comments

      David Emerscam

      Feb 11, 2011 at 9:32am

      I'll miss the old codger.