Egypt: It's end of the road for President Hosni Mubarak as he finally resigns

By Eric Sande

Cairo-- Embattled Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak finally stepped down Friday after 18 days of mass protest and three-decades of autocratic rule. It took just over 30 seconds for Egypt's vice-president, Omar Suleiman, to announce that President Hosni Mubarak was standing down and handing power to the military.

"In the name of Allah the most gracious the most merciful,My fellow citizens, in the difficult circumstances our country is experiencing, President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak has decided to give up the office of the president of the republic and instructed the supreme council of the armed forces to manage the affairs of the country. May God guide our steps”, read Suleiman in a statement.

Moments later, a deafening roar swept central Cairo. Protesters fell to their knees and prayed, wept and chanted. Hundreds of thousands of people packed into Tahrir Square, the centre of the demonstrations, waving flags, holding up hastily written signs declaring victory, and embracing soldiers.

Mubarak's dramatic departure marks the end of an era for Egypt and the Middle East. Thirty years of his rule has left a deep impression on his country's domestic affairs and external relations. Without him, much could change on many fronts — at home and across the region.

Israel remains fearful that the uprising might open the door to a hostile Islamist regime in Cairo — said it hoped the transition of power in Egypt will be conducted “smoothly,” a government official told AFP.

US president Barack Obama, who had supported Mubarak remaining in power until a stable transitional administration was in place, called on the new military leaders to take concrete steps towards democratic change.

Only one day earlier, Mr. Mubarak had told the nation he would remain in power until elections in September. On Friday, reports said he had gone to the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh.

According to Egypt’s constitution, the speaker of parliament becomes acting president, but with the military’s assumption of power, it was unclear whether this would happen.

The political future of Egypt remains uncertain.