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  • March 19, 2011
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Special Reports: World and Regional News

After 18 days of protests, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, who ruled the country for 30 years, stepped down. The announcement of his resignation drew an immediate roar of cheers and honking automobile horns throughout the country.

Now, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which represents the heads of the various branches of the armed forces, as well as the chief of staff and the minister of defense, has taken control of the country.

Military rulers have pledged to hold new parliamentary and presidential elections within six months.

A committee of legal experts has begun drafting constitutional amendments that will set the course of political reform in the world's largest Arab nation.

Timeline: Hosni Mubarak's Presidency

VOA reports

Protests in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt on Feb. 25, 2011.

Experts Outline Steps to Democracy in Egypt, Tunisia

New governments can look to procedures that worked for Latin America and Eastern Europe

Saad Eddin Ibrahim

Egyptian Dissident to Return from Exile in US to Help Democratic Movement

After many years' exile in US, Saad Eddin Ibrahim says he will return to Egypt to continue fight for consolidating democracy

Egyptians drive past a banner calling for a "yes" vote in a referendum on constitutional changes scheduled for Saturday, Cairo, March 17, 2011

Egyptians Brace for First Test on Democracy

As voters prepare for constitutional referendum, observers debate proposed amendments, timing of poll

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf in Cairo, March 16, 2011

Clinton Talks Democratic Reforms in Egypt

US secretary of state meets with officials of transitional ruling body, veteran diplomat running for president

Clinton Promises Support, Money to New Egyptian Government

She announces a series of packages after meeting with her Egyptian counterpart

Zahi Hawass, head of the Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, pictured above, resigned over what he considered a lack of security at the country's historic sites (file photo)

Egypt’s 'Indiana Jones' Calls It Quits

Antiquities chief Zahi Hawass says his decision was prompted by many of Egypt’s ancient sites not being properly protected

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton testifies during the Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Budget hearing at Capitol Hill in Washington, March 10, 2011

Clinton Sets Visit to Egypt, Tunisia

Clinton says she will be opening dialogue with members of Libyan opposition in Washington and on her trip to region next week

One of the organizers of the protests in Egypt, Ahmed Saleh stands in front of a tank with a bandaged broken nose he sustained during the uprising

One of Egypt’s Protest Organizers Carries Message to US

During stop in Washington, DC, Ahmed Saleh relayed his vision for the future of Egypt and called on US to help his country achieve it

Egyptian army soldiers stand guard in Manshiyet Nasser shanty town in eastern Cairo, March 09, 2011

Demonstrators Attacked in Egypt's Tahrir Square

Witnesses say Christians, Muslims threw rocks at each other before riot police fired warning shots

Egyptian protesters shout slogans as they gather to call for the trial of members of ousted President Hosni Mubarak in front of a court in Cairo, Egypt, March 8, 2011

Egyptian Court Upholds Decision to Freeze Mubarak Assets

Family is facing corruption charges that new government is investigating

Egypt's former ambassador to the United Nations, Nabil A. Elaraby

Egypt Gets New Foreign and Interior Ministers

Nabil Elaraby, a former judge at the International Court of Justice, will replace Ahmed Aboul Gheit

An Egyptian walks in front of a closed currency exchange office as banks, schools and the stock market remained closed for the second working day in Cairo, Egypt, January 31, 2011

Egypt Delays Reopening Stock Market

Egyptian authorities again delay reopening of country's stock market

Former Egyptian Interior Minister Habib al-Adly (file photo)

Egypt's Ex-Interior Minister Pleads Not Guilty

Habin al-Adly faces charges of money laundering, profiteering

Clashes Continue as Egypt Cheers New PM Designate

Hundreds of protesters in Alexandria upset at human rights violations under previous Egyptian government try to storm building

Egyptian anti-Mubarak protesters shout slogans and flash V signs as they wave Egyptian flags during their protest in Cairo (File)

Egyptian Military Appoints New PM

Statement says Essam Sharaf has been asked to form caretaker government to run country temporarily

Egyptian state television Al-Masriya shows new Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq holding a press conference in Cairo, February 3, 2011

Egyptian PM Shafiq Resigns

Ahmed Shafiq was appointed to the post by ousted president Hosni Mubarak

Egyptian protesters at a rally demanding Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi step down during demonstrations in Tahrir Square in Cairo,  Feb. 25, 2011

Egyptian Military Rulers Meet with Pro-Reform Panel

Media reports say talks focused on constitutional reform and a timetable for new elections

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (file photo)

Egypt Issues Travel Ban, Asset Freeze on Mubarak

Move comes as top prosecutor considers additional actions against former president who resigned following popular protests

An Egyptian army soldier watches thousands of Egyptian gather at Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian uprising, flashing Egyptian and Tunisan flags in Cairo, February 25, 2011

Egyptian Military Apologizes for Using Force on Protesters

Members of military police beat some protesters in Cairo early Saturday

Thousands of Egyptians shout slogans as they gather at Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian uprising, in Cairo, Egypt, February 25, 2011

Demonstrators Gather in Cairo to Press for Promised Reforms

protesters have called on the military to rid the cabinet of members loyal to ousted President Hosni Mubarak

Egyptian army soldiers fight a fire believe to be set by hundreds of low-ranking police at a part of the security headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, February 23, 2011

Former Egyptian Police Officers Set Fires in Protest

Officials say former officers, who want to be reinstated, hurled firebombs at Interior Ministry in Cairo, also set several vehicles on f

Muslim Brotherhood Urges Support for Libyan Protesters

Muslim Brotherhood calls on international community to support Libyan anti-government protesters

Officials remove a portrait  of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the main Cabinet building in Cairo, February 13, 2011

Egypt Swears in New Cabinet

It is first time in decades that opposition members are part of Egypt's Cabinet

Visitors enjoy the view from the back of a cart.

Egyptian Pyramids Reopen for Tourism

But uprisings continue to mount in Bahrain, Libya and other countries in the region

An Egyptian policeman stands guard outside a bank in Cairo February 20, 2011

Egyptian Banks Reopen After Strikes, Unrest

Banks opened Sunday, following a series of government-ordered closures and short work days; stock market remains closed

Fireworks explode as tens of thousands of Egyptians celebrate the fall of the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak, and to maintain pressure on the current military rulers, in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, February 18, 2011

Will New Egyptian Government Pursue Nuclear Weapons?

Analysts on both sides of this debate have views about why, or why not, Egypt might want to acquire nuclear weapons

Thousands of Egyptians gather to pray and celebrate the fall of the Mubarak regime, and to maintain pressure on the current military rulers, in Cairo's Tahrir Square, February 18, 2011

A Week After Mubarak's Ouster, Most Egyptians Are Jubilant

Thousands of democracy movement supporters pack Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday

Anti-government protester shout slogans during a demonstration in Sanaa, February 15, 2011

Change in Egypt Focuses Attention on Other Countries in Middle East

Change presents both opportunities and obstacles for US foreign policy in the region

Analysts Suggest Aid To Egypt Is Key To Free Elections

US official says Washington should not make any quick judgments about cutting military aid to countries like Egypt

The Nile has allowed agriculture to flourish for millenia, but a farmer's life remains hard, near Kafr Torky,  February 13, 2011

Rural Egyptians Welcome Change, Economic Worries Linger

Villagers share some of the complaints echoed during demonstrations in nation's cities

Jobless archeology graduates protest in demand of jobs in the Egyptian museum, in Cairo, Egypt, Feb 16,  2011

Labor Unrest Spreads Throughout Egypt

Thousands of Egyptian workers on strike demanding better pay, work conditions

Anti-government protesters celebrating in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt , February 12, 2011

Egyptian Protesters Say Low-Tech Supply Lines Kept Them Going

Social media helped mobilize crowds, but makeshift hospitals, food tents and toilets allowed them to stay

Analyst: Egyptian Protesters Want Democratic Secular Government

Egyptian analyst says protesters want post-Mubarak democratic, secular government

Scene near one of Egypt's top tourist attractions

No Recovery in Sight for Egypt's Tourism

Those taking most direct hit are impoverished people - guides, hotel employees and others in service industries

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit (file photo – December 15, 2010)

Egypt Seeks International Aid for Economy

Foreign Minister calls on international community to provide financial assistance to help country's economy recover after protests

An Egyptian man sells popcorn to people walking outside the national TV building in Cairo three days after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, February 14, 2011

Egypt Strives to Return to Normalcy

Military rulers issued a communiqué asking citizens to bear with them in these difficult times

El Farouk Hospital in suburban Cairo is where the Muslim Brotherhood is winning hearts in Egypt

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Wins Support by Helping Poor

Organization works behind scenes to win support

Public transportation workers protest in demand of salary raises in front of the national TV building, right, in Cairo, Egypt, February 14, 2011

Egypt Military Calls for End to Strikes

Series of crippling strikes have broken out nationwide in aftermath of revolution

Police march through downtown Cairo, demanding better pay and respect, 14 February 2011

Labor Strikes Hit Egypt as Military Calls Public Holiday

Egypt’s military calls for an end to strikes as many worry they could further damage economy

Military police and soldiers walk among traffic as they clear remaining protesters in Tahir square in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's military rulers dissolved parliament Sunday, suspending the constitution and promising elections in moves cautiously welcomed by pr

Activists Say Egypt's Rulers Promise Constitutional Referendum in 2 Months

Activists say the military council told them that a newly-appointed committee will finish drafting constitutional amendments in 10 days

Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq talks during a press conference in Cairo, February 13, 2011

Public Holiday Gives Egypt’s Rulers More Time to Implement Reforms

Egyptians have another day off work Monday amid word of a new timeline for implementing political reforms

A man carries bread bought from a bakery in Cairo on February 6, 2011.

High Food Prices Helped Spark Egypt Protests

Food production has not kept pace with population growth

Muslim Brotherhood Spokesman: Egypt Not Iran

Spokesman for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood says group seeks civil, moderate, democratic state

Egyptian Embassy

Egyptian Ambassador Expects Suspension of Emergency Rule

Envoy to US says he fully believes the military will hand over power to a democratically-elected government

Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass stands beside damaged artifacts in the Egyptian Museum, located near the opposition stronghold of Tahrir Square, in Cairo, February 10, 2011.

Minister: 18 Artifacts Stolen From Egyptian Museum

Zahi Hawass says 18 objects were missing, including a gilded wooden statue of King Tutankhamun

Young Egyptians take photographs of themselves standing in front of newly-painted murals on a street leading off from Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011

Egypt's Military Dissolves Parliament, Suspends Constitution

As life returns slowly to normal, Egypt's military rulers meet two key demands of pro-democracy protesters

Egyptian army officers create a line to separate protesters from cars making their way through Tahrir Square, in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011

Egypt's Army Prodding a Return to Normalcy After Weeks of Protests

Soldiers are dismantling protesters’ tents, and Cairo’s infamous traffic jams have returned to Tahrir Square

Changes in Egypt Celebrated in Washington, New York

Egyptians in US are rejoicing after end of Hosni Mubarak’s regime

Mourners throw roses and pray over the names of some of those killed in Egypt's revolution, at a makeshift memorial in Tahrir Square, Cairo, February 12, 2011

Egyptians Celebrate Revolution, Get Back to Work

People memorialize those who died, get down to nitty-gritty work of building country’s future

Omar Afifi Suleiman directs Egyptian demonstrations from his high tech command center near Washington, D.C.

Former Egyptian Police Officer Directs Protesters from Afar

Omar Afifi Suleiman is helping to instruct protesters inside Egypt via Skye, Facebook, Twitter and cell phone

Egyptians celebrate on Tahrir Square in Cairo, February 12, 2011

Egyptians Celebrate Mubarak Departure, Look to Future

Military says Hosni Mubarak's Cabinet will remain in place for now while country transitions to democratic system

A Chinese couple walks past a newspaper front page showing Egyptians celebrating and title 'Mubarak hands over power' at a newsstand in Beijing, China, February 12, 2011

China Reacts Cautiously to Events in Egypt

Communist Party calls for stability in Egypt after fall of President Hosni Mubarak - saying foreign powers should not interfere

A crowd in New York City's 'Little Egypt' neighborhood in Queens celebrates the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak by unfurling a flag from their homeland, February 11, 2011

New York City Celebrates Mubarak's Resignation

After news reached New York's 'Little Egypt' neighborhood, jubilant crowd began happy cries of 'Long Live Egypt'

An Egyptian soldier holds a boy atop an army vehicle as they celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, February 11, 2011

Egyptians Cheer End of Mubarak Rule

Resignation electrifies crowd in Cairo's Tahrir Square as people dance, cheer, shed tears of joy as presidency ends after 30 years

Egyptian citizens stand on an Egyptian military tank as they celebrate after President Hosni Mubarak resigned and handed power to the military at Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Feb 11, 2011

What It Was Like in Tahrir Square When Mubarak Resigned

Familiar chants of 'the people and the army are one' have come true for many people

Egypt's Defense Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi attends a meeting of the military supreme council, February 10, 2011

Egypt's Military Takes Charge Facing Demands for Democratization

Military in charge after so-called Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces took power Friday, ending Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule

President Barack Obama makes a statement on the resignation of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak in the Grand Foyer at the White House in Washington, February 11, 2011

Obama: Egypt Will Never Be The Same

President emphasizes there will be 'difficult days ahead,' but is confident Egyptians can find answers peacefully, in spirit of unity

Palestinians in Gaza City celebrate Hosni Mubarak's resignation, February 11, 2011

Israelis, Palestinians React to Mubarak Resignation

Israeli government is reacting cautiously, some Palestinians are applauding Mr. Mubarak’s decision to step down

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood: Its Agenda

What will its role be in Egypt in the post-Mubarak era?

Egyp't President Hosni Mubarak speaking on television (file photo)

Hosni Mubarak Brought Stability to Egypt, At a Price

Popular uprising, marked by more than two weeks of massive street protests, eventually forced Mr. Mubarak to resign

Egypt's Defense Minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi attends a meeting of the military supreme council, February 10, 2011

Egyptian Military Takes Control

Supreme Council of Armed Forces represents heads of various branches of the armed forces, chief of staff and defense minister

 Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak speaking on television (file photo)

Mubarak's Departure Encourages Investors

Stocks in Europe and US jump higher, shortly after announcement

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (file photo)

Biden: Mubarak Resignation 'Pivotal Moment' in History

US vice president spoke ahead of expected statement in Washington by President Barack Obama

Egyptians celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, Cairo, Egypt, Feb 11, 2011

World Leaders React to Mubarak Resignation

European leaders call for quick transition from military to democratic rule, while celebrations erupt in cities across Middle East

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (file photo)

Mubarak Resigns

After 18 days of protests, Egyptian leader accepts people's demands; jubilant reaction in Cairo

Anti-government protesters, and Egyptian Army soldiers on top of their vehicles, make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, February 11, 2011

Anti-Mubarak Protest Crowds Swell Across Egypt

Demonstrators also swarm around state radio and television building, presidential palace

Mubarak Speech Prompts Egypt Protesters to Carry On

Strong reactions after speech protesters did not want to hear.

Anti-government protesters march through a street in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's military threw its weight Friday behind President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office through September elections, February 11, 2011.

European Leaders Increase Pressure on Mubarak

Governments reacted with a mix of concern and impatience to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's refusal to immediately leave office

Эхуд Барак

Israel Says Mubarak's Decision to Stay is Internal Egyptian Issue

Defense Minister Ehud Barak calls for renewed efforts in Israeli-Palestinian statehood negotiations, despite turmoil in Middle East

A protester holds a placard showing Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and reading "Go out... Just do it" at the continuing anti-government demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Feb 10 2011

Egyptian Demonstrators Disappointed with Mubarak Speech

Many Egyptians say they are just going to continue to come out and demonstrate

Anti-government protesters march in a street in Cairo, Egypt, Feb 11, 2011

Egypt's Military Supports Mubarak

President Hosni Mubarak dashed hopes amid rumors of his imminent resignation when he announced that he will not step down

Obama Delivers Stronger Message on Egypt

But US President Barak Obama did not specifically call for President Hosni Mubarak to step down

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in televised speech February 10, 2011

Mubarak Vows to Stay, Angering Protesters

Egyptian President has delegated powers to his vice president but insists he will stay in office until September election

Egypt Military: Mubarak to 'Meet Protesters' Demands'

Egyptian state television says President Hosni Mubarak will give a speech to the nation late Thursday

Egyptian lawyers in black robes stream into Cairo's Tahrir Square, February 10, 2011

Egyptian Protests Gain New Momentum

Large groups of professionals are joining the political demonstrations, now in their 17th day

President Barack Obama speaks at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, February 10, 2011

Obama: History Unfolding in Egypt

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said officials are paying close attention to what he described as a "very fluid" situation

Former Commerce Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid of Egypt (file photo)

Egypt Charges Government Figures With Corruption

Media reports say investigation is targeting former ministers of commerce tourism minister, housing and parliament member

Egypt businessman Ibrahim Labib

Some in Egypt's Elite Call for Change

Some in the elite have benefited financially and politically from their close association to the Mubarak government

Intelligence Lapse on Egypt Debated

Turn of events has sparked questions about whether the United States experienced an “intelligence failure"