Mubarak is out! Hands power to military as Egyptians hit the streets on ‘Farewell Friday’

by Seham on February 11, 2011


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Protesters in Alexandria (Photo: Friday Lunch Club)

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Live video of Tahrir Square from MSNBC

After rambling on for a half hour last night and not saying anything, today Mubarak sent Omar Suleiman on television to say this:

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. May God help everybody.

That's it. He's out.

Here is the unfolding news on Twitter:

 

Here are more of the latest developments:

Protests/Protesters/Attacks Against Them & Eyewitness Accounts
The Lede: Latest Updates on Day 18 of Egypt Protests
The Lede provides updates on the protests in Egypt on Friday, 18 days into the standoff between pro-democracy protesters and the Mubarak regime.
http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=94ed3d901762f121b3f6b5158ec17cef

Egyptians hold 'Farewell Friday'
Pro-democracy campaigners march on state television and presidential palaces, as army calls for normal life to resume.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121125158705862.html

Egypt's Brotherhood calls for protests to continue
CAIRO, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest opposition group, urged Egyptians on Friday to stay on the streets to oust President Hosni Mubarak from power, calling the veteran ruler's latest speech a trick.  "Mubarak appeared before us with a stinging speech that proves that he is still in charge. He still says he will do this and do that but will delegate authority to his deputy. But it's just more deceptive words to stop the people's demands," the Islamist movement said in a statement.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/egypts-brotherhood-calls-for-protests-to-continue

Egyptian protesters move to shut off key government buildings in Cairo
Demonstrators coalesce around the state TV and radio building and a few hundred protesters engage in a standoff with Mubarak loyalists outside the presidential palace in Heliopolis. The army vows to uphold Mubarak's promises of reform.  Protesters fanned out to shut off key government buildings in Cairo on Friday as the Egyptian army, under pressure from all sides, issued a statement pledging to guarantee President Hosni Mubarak's promise to lift emergency law and ensure free elections.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/UiK-SNmfIio/la-fg-egypt-mubarak-20110212,0,3072259.story

Egypt protests spread, demonstrators outside palace
* Protests shift to presidential palace, state TV building
* Demonstrators say army promises not enough
* Festive vibe returns to Tahrir Square after disappointment
* Alexandria cleric urges protesters not to back down
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/egypt-protests-spread-demonstrators-outside-palace

Egypt braces for massive protest
Throngs of pro-democracy protesters, whose hopes to oust Mubarak were dashed, are expected to march on streets en masse.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/02/201121125158705862.html

Scenes from Tahrir Square: Mubarak's Non-Resignation
On the afternoon of Thursday, February 11, rumors flew that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, in power now for 30 years, planned on resigning - a step that would fulfill the hopes of protesters who have occupied central Cairo's Tahrir Square for 17 days. Instead, late on Thursday night, Mubarak delivered a meandering, 15-minute speech in which he delegated powers to his vice president but refused to resign. The crowd reacted with anger, and protesters vowed to redouble their efforts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRBGPZkTam0&feature=youtube_gdata

Egyptians comment during Friday's protests
CAIRO, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Here are quotes from Egyptians demonstrating at Cairo's Tahrir Square, presidential palace and outside the state television building on Friday, as well as reaction from protest figures and social networking sites.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/factbox-egyptians-comment-during-fridays-protests

Impressions from Egypt's front line
Gallery: Hossam el-Hamalawy, a Cairo journalist, uses photographs to tell the inside story of protests on the streets of his city
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/gallery/2011/feb/11/egypt-protest

Anger on Cairo's Tahrir Square
Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons has tested the mood among the crowd in Tahrir Square. Protesters say president Mubarak is not listening to the growing anger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--xTv2oC1As&feature=youtube_gdata

In Egypt's Tahrir Square, celebration grinds to a halt with Mubarak's speech
More than 100,000 Egyptian protesters gathered in Tahrir Square to celebrate what they believed would be President Mubarak's resignation. Instead, his defiant televised speech left many angry or in tears.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/3Sen2G8Y2oc/In-Egypt-s-Tahrir-Square-celebration-grinds-to-a-halt-with-Mubarak-s-speech

Mubarak speech turns elation in Tahrir Square to anger
Protesters celebrate after a general says their demands will be met. Then Mubarak refuses to step down.  President Hosni Mubarak's face glared down from a giant screen that rippled in the cold breeze above Tahrir Square. His gravelly voice boomed across a multitude of protesters standing silently, standing in shock, but most important, still standing.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/VeZYZIt0i-o/la-fg-egypt-square-scene-20110211,0,3157252.story

Ramy Raouf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGCDI7U6ZWU&feature=youtube_gdata

Striking Egyptian Workers Fuel the Uprising After 10 Years of Labor Organizing
Egypt’s pro-democracy uprising is surging after striking workers joined in the protests nationwide. Thousands of Egyptian workers walked off the job Wednesday demanding better wages and benefits. Strikes were reported in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and the Suez Canal. We speak to Stanford University Professor Joel Beinin, who, as the former director of Middle East Studies at the American University in Cairo, has closely studied the Egyptian labor movement for years. “This is huge, because there has been for the last 10 years an enormous wave of labor protests in Egypt,” Beinin says. “In the last few days what you’ve seen is tens of thousands of workers linking their economic demands to the political demand that the Mubarak regime step aside.” [includes rush transcript]
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/10/egyptian_uprising_surges_as_workers_join

Defying Regime Threats, Thousands of Workers Join Protesters in Tahrir Square
Reporting from Cairo, Democracy Now! senior producer Sharif Abdel Kouddous says thousands of workers, including doctors and lawyers, have joined the protests in Tahrir Square. The demonstrators continue to flood the streets despite government threats and just one day before what is expected to the largest day of protests to date. [includes rush transcript]
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/10/sharif_abdel_kouddous_defying_regime_threats

Getting to know the ‘son of Egypt,’ Wael Ghonim, Philip Weiss
"No one is going to go against our desire. We are getting back our country," Wael Ghonim declared on CNN last night, and today the 30-year-old Google executive is arguably the most powerful man in Egypt. Ghonim's spectacular interview on Egyptian TV Monday night hours after he was freed from 11 days of imprisonment spurred the revolution to new heights and stirred the White House (as David Gergen said on CNN).
http://mondoweiss.net/2011/02/getting-to-know-the-son-of-egypt-wael-ghonim.html

Why Ghonim's Passion Reignited Revolt
(Cairo) - Few things to date have energized popular Egyptian protests against President Hosni Mubarak as much as the emotional interview given by Wael Ghonim, a 30-year-old Egyptian internet activist, almost immediately after his release from 12 days of detention by the feared state security police.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/02/10/why-ghonims-passion-reignited-revolt

Muslim-Christian unity characterizes Egypt's uprising
CAIRO (IPS) - Over recent years, Egypt has witnessed mounting tension between its Muslim majority and its sizeable Coptic Christian minority. But in Cairo's Tahrir Square, the site of ongoing mass protests against the ruling regime, members of both faiths chant in unison "Muslim, Christian, doesn't matter; We're all in this boat together!"
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11792.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+electronicIntifadaPalestine+%28Electronic+Intifada+%3A+Palestine+News%29

No words can describe the frustration in Tahrir Square | Dalia Basiouny
The disappointment felt by Egyptians is matched only by their determination to fight on against Mubarak. The cool breeze in the air is not capable of calming the flames of anger that Mubarak's speech ignited last night. I was in Tahrir square with hundreds of thousands of people. The square has never before been that busy at night. People of every age and background were flooding the place all afternoon and evening when they heard that the president was going to address the nation. You could sense the excitement and feel the elation as you walked next to people discussing all the possible scenarios after the president stepped down. Many impromptu parties were being formed, with drumming, dancing and chanting. The Egyptians would be free of the dictator who ruled and corrupted Egypt for 30 years. TV and radio stations had been announcing the charges against many of the symbols of the system; previous ministers and ruling party officials were going to be tried for their crimes and corruption.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/11/tahrir-square-egyptian-frustration

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjfUfO9CgmY&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cbIG-gUZGg&feature=player_embedded

Popular Sovereignty
http://baheyya.blogspot.com/2011/02/citizen-outside-gates-of-parliament-9.html

LEAVE on a SHOE
http://www.arabawy.org/2011/02/10/leave-2/

Millions of Egyptians Salute Their New Acting "President" Omar Shlomo
http://palestinianpundit.blogspot.com/2011/02/millions-of-egyptians-salute-their-new.html

Pictures of the Revolution
http://www.arabawy.org/2011/02/10/photography-jan25-%D8
http://www.arabawy.org/2011/02/10/profs-march-on-tahrir/
http://www.arabawy.org/2011/02/10/tahrir-protesters/

Developments
Egyptians exchange fire with police in Sinai
ISMAILIA, Egypt, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Around 1,000 Egyptians attacked a police station in the north Sinai town of el-Arish on Friday to try to free prisoners, exchanging gunfire with police who retreated to the roof, witnesses said.  The attackers set ablaze three vehicles outside and hurled petrol bombs during confrontation.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/egyptians-exchange-fire-with-police-in-sinai

Gunmen attack Egyptian police at Rafah - sources
CAIRO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Unidentified assailants attacked security force barracks in the Egyptian border town of Rafah on Thursday, security sources and eyewitnesses said.  The attackers opened fire with guns and used rocket-propelled grenades, the sources said. Rafah is near Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/gunmen-attack-egyptian-police-at-rafah-sources

Al Arabiya TV says Mubarak, family leave Cairo
CAIRO, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Al Arabiya television reported on Friday that President Hosni Mubarak and his family had left Cairo from a military airbase in the suburbs and had travelled to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/al-arabiya-says-mubarak-family-leave-cairo

Mubarak Reportedly Leaves Cairo
The Egyptian military appeared to assert its leadership Friday amid growing indications that President Hosni Mubarak was yielding all power.
http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=3970e379ec018200e8060fa97315aa36

Egypt army in emergency law pledge
Military says emergency law, in place for decades, will be lifted "as soon as current circumstances end".
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121161511674298.html

Hosni Mubarak gets backing of Egypt's military: Who's really in charge?
Hosni Mubarak's refusal to step down after a day of signals that he was leaving power is pushing Egypt's uprising toward a dangerous confrontation. Egypt's military appears to be firmly backing the regime.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/GOWx6rtSxHA/Hosni-Mubarak-gets-backing-of-Egypt-s-military-Who-s-really-in-charge

ElBaradei: ‘Egypt will explode’
Egypt's most prominent dissident warned in a tweet Thursday night that the country "will explode" and appealed to the army for help.  "Egypt will explode. Army must save the country now," Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the nuclear watchdog IAEA, tweeted.  His warning of violence came minutes after President Hosni Mubarak declared in a speech that he would not step down as president until the September elections. Reporters at Cairo's Tahrir Square said the crowds there were angrier than they had seen them since protests broke out on Jan. 25.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/elbaradei-egypt-explode/

ElBaradei proposes national unity government in Egypt
WASHINGTON — Leading Egyptian dissident Mohamed ElBaradei proposed Thursday that a three-person national unity government succeed President Hosni Mubarak and his deputy, and steer Egypt to democracy.  In an interview with Foreign Policy Magazine, ElBaradei said the US-backed transition process led by Vice President Omar Suleiman will fail to take the country to democracy unless "we keep kicking their behinds."
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/elbaradei-unity-government-egypt/

TEXT-Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman speech
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/text-egyptian-vice-president-omar-suleiman-speech

Hosni Mubarak's speech
Hosni Mubarak gave a speech in which he was anticipated to announce his resignation. Instead, the 82-year-old Egyptian president repeated his intention to remain in power until the presidential elections in September.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS7RBGvKyyM&feature=youtube_gdata

Egypt state media run to catch up with revolution
* Media shift tone as uprising gathers momentum
* State news agency at first called protesters 'vandals'
* Newspaper editor acknowledges credibility threat
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/egypt-state-media-run-to-catch-up-with-revolution

An army major breaks the ranks, denounces Mubarak, and joins the protesters…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df1tOJ1z6CU&feature=player_embedded

Mubarak refuses to leave office
President Hosni Mubarak provoked rage on Egypt's streets when he said he would hand powers to his deputy but disappointed protesters who had been expecting him to step down altogether after two weeks of unrest. "Leave! Leave!" chanted thousands who had gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square in anticipation that a televised speech would be the moment their demands for an end to Mubarak's 30 years of authoritarian, one-man rule were met. Instead, the 82-year-old former general portrayed himself as a patriot overseeing an orderly transition until elections in September. He praised the young people who have stunned the Arab world with unprecedented demonstrations, offering constitutional change and a bigger role for Omar Suleiman, the vice president.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSN_OGhhR8&feature=youtube_gdata

Mubarak stays, Egypt erupts in rage
Hosni Mubarak disappointed and enraged pro-democracy protesters when he did not announce he would quit as many expected.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/02/201121021453441373.html

Egyptian protesters in Tahrir split on whether Mubarak’s exit would be enough
Some Egyptian protesters amassed in Cairo’s Tahrir Square fear Mubarak’s regime is just trying to buy time.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/WsaE6FLA6qY/Egyptian-protesters-in-Tahrir-split-on-whether-Mubarak-s-exit-would-be-enough

Defiant Mubarak refuses to resign
Egyptian president vows he will stay in office until September, and will not bow down to 'foreign pressure'.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/02/2011210172519776830.html

Mubarak’s location still unknown amid conflicting reports
Amid rapidly changing developments in Egypt and conflicting reports about the nature of power transition, questions about the location of embattled President Hosni Mubarak are taking center stage in different local and international news media.
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/02/10/137146.html

Hosni Mubarak to address Egypt; protesters are told demands will be met
A general tells protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square that their demands will be met, and the military says it is taking the 'necessary measures to protect the nation and support the legitimate demands of the people.' Protesters have been adamant that Hosni Mubarak step down. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to address his nation within hours following an announcement Thursday from a general to thousands of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square that their demands would be met.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/8oWiYO4CQW8/la-fg-egypt-mubarak-20110211,0,3006722.story

ANALYSIS-Egypt's fate unclear as Mubarak's power crumbles
CAIRO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - A military coup? A triumph for people power? Egyptians watching as President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule disintegrated on Thursday could not be sure. When a grim-faced military spokesman appeared on television to read "Communique No. 1" announcing that the army's higher council was in continuous session -- in Mubarak's conspicuous absence -- it looked like a classic military takeover.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/analysis-egypts-fate-unclear-as-mubaraks-power-crumbles

Egypt VP democracy comment misunderstood-state agency
CAIRO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Comments by Egypt's Vice President Omar Suleiman to U.S. television stations suggesting Egyptians were not yet ready for democracy were taken out of context, the state news agency MENA said on Thursday.  Mubarak appointed Suleiman as his deputy after massive protests erupted from Jan. 25 against poverty, corruption and political repression.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/egypt-vp-democracy-comment-misunderstood-state-agency

As Egypt Protest Swells, U.S. Sends Specific Demands
In one of the largest protests yet, Egyptians loudly rejected the government’s approach to change.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/world/middleeast/09egypt.html

Egypt Protests: Obama Sharply Questions Mubarak Pledge To Stay In Power
WASHINGTON — Bristling with impatience, President Barack Obama on Thursday openly and sharply questioned whether Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's pledge to shift power to his vice president is an "immediate, meaningful or sufficient" sign of reform for a country in upheaval.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/egypt-protests-obama-mubarak_n_821736.html

President Obama's statement on Egypt
The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient. Too many Egyptians remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy, and it is the responsibility of the government to speak clearly to the Egyptian people and the world. The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity. 
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/10/president_obamas_statement_on_egypt

White House silent after Mubarak shocker
The Obama administration has gone silent following the latest speech by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in which he seemed to cede some powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman but refused to step down from office. "We don't have any immediate comment," National Security Spokesman Tommy Vietor told The Cable. Follow-up requests for information about how the White House was processing the latest news from Cairo went unreturned. The State Department cancelled its daily press briefing and State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley's latest tweet on the matter was several hours ago.
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/10/white_house_silent_after_mubarak_shocker

Mubarak defiance puts U.S. on the defensive
The Obama administration struggled Thursday to keep pace with events in Egypt and retool its strategy there after a defiant President Hosni Mubarak lashed out at what he described as foreign intervention.
http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=4919210e4bf13c0c102af7e353a3bae3

World sceptical of Mubarak's speech
Egyptian leader's speech reiterating that he won't quit as widely expected fails to reassure his people and the world.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/02/2011210224440311350.html

Middle East leaders react nervously to Mubarak's defiance
Reaction in the Middle East to President Mubarak's defiant address to the nation was muted late yesterday, with nervous regional leaders hesitant to prejudge the outcome of fast-moving developments in Egypt.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/middle-east-leaders-react-nervously-to-mubaraks-defiance-2211288.html
   
McCain slams 'deeply unfortunate' Mubarak speech
WASHINGTON (AFP) -- US Senator John McCain on Thursday condemned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's "deeply unfortunate and troubling" refusal to step down immediately and urged him to heed his people's calls to quit power.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=358908    
   
German FM: Mubarak speech 'not the hoped for step forward'
NEW YORK (AFP) -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Thursday said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's speech "was not the hoped for step foward."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=358910

WikiLeaks: Suleiman promised to stop Gaza elections
Egyptian VP said he will "take care of" Gaza, stop Hamas from gaining control, in meeting with Israeli official.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=207821

In their own words - the position of the Muslim Brotherhood
The Middle East Monitor has followed every step of the Egyptian revolution ever since it erupted on 25 January 2011. Our staff have scrutinised very closely the media coverage of the events in Tahrir Square in Cairo and in other towns and cities across the country. Hardly a commentary or analysis has been written without reference to the Muslim Brotherhood. Its past, present and future roles in Egyptian politics have been subjected to serious examination, although many of the commentaries are littered with speculation and unfounded claims.
http://www.middleeastmonitor.org.uk/resources/reports-and-publications/2044-in-their-own-words-the-position-of-the-muslim-brotherhood

Clinton confirms U.S. embassy employee killed in Cairo
The State Department confirmed on Thursday that Khairy Ramadan Aly, an Egyptian national who worked as a carpenter at the U.S. embassy in Cairo for 18 years, is dead. He went missing amid the protests on Jan. 28. "On behalf of all the men and women of the State Department and USAID, I offer our condolences to the friends and loved ones of Khairy Ramadan Aly, a member of our Embassy family in Cairo," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement. "Throughout this period, many Egyptian employees of the U.S. Mission have continued to work alongside their American colleagues in Cairo and Alexandria. The United States is grateful for their contributions, commitment and sacrifice during this difficult time."
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/10/clinton_confirms_us_embassy_employee_killed_in_cairo

Egypt's political leaders fail on human rights
Amnesty International accuses Egyptian political leaders of acting irresponsibly after they failed to initiate any human rights reforms during key speeches by President Hosni Mubarak and Vice President Omar Suleiman on Thursday.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/egypts-political-leaders-fail-human-rights-2011-02-11

Human rights must come first at critical moment for Egypt
Authorities urged to end 30 years of repressive emergency rule and allow ordinary Egyptians to fully participate in shaping the country's future.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/human-rights-must-come-first-critical-moment-egypt-2011-02-10

ANALYSIS-Egypt uprising hits Mubarak's business elite
CAIRO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Egypt's uprising has alarmed business executives who fear they will be made scapegoats to appease protesters who want to bring down President Hosni Mubarak and the moneyed elite around him.  The upheaval that has gripped Egypt since Jan. 25 has targeted links between Mubarak's government and a privileged class of loyalist business executives who have grown rich under privatisation and other economic reforms.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/analysis-egypt-uprising-hits-mubaraks-business-elite

Iraqis in Egypt offered free flights home
Baghdad government says Iraq nationals can fly home to escape political turmoil or receive food and monetary aid.  Iraq has offered food, financial aid and free flights home to its citizens who had moved to Egypt to escape civil strife at home but may now feel threatened by unrest in their host country, officials said. The Iraqi government has helped some 2,000 Iraqis leave Egypt since the outbreak of a popular uprising against the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, on 25 January. Those deciding to stay in Egypt were offered food and financial aid, said Saif Sabah, a spokesman for Iraq's migration and displacement ministry.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/11/iraqis-egypt-free-flights-home

World Solidarity
Emergency demonstrations in solidarity with the people of Egypt!
In a speech that shocked the people of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak has refused to resign after 17 days of protest calling for an end to his dictatorship. In the coming days, people in the United States take to the streets throughout the country in solidarity with the strugle of the people of Egypt. Click here for a list of upcoming demonstrations—please check back as this page will be regularly updated with additional actions.  Click here to read an important analysis of the latest developments in Egypt, including Mubarak's announcement that he will not resign and the implications for the mass popular movement.
http://www.answercoalition.org/national/index.html

Montreal: Egypt revolution solidarity protest
Montreal solidarity protest. Long live Egyptian revolution! Friday February 11th 17h-18h Egyptian Consulate 1000 rue De La Gauchetiere O. (metro Bonaventure) Montreal, Quebec With Mubarak’s defiant position, the deafness that prevented him from hearing the people telling him to go and with the wishy-washy position of the US, and the West in general vis-a-vis the situation in Egypt, we have to [...]
http://www.tadamon.ca/post/8629

Speech of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered at the solidarity rally with Egypt that was held in Ghobairy Municipality Square
Praise be to Allah the Lord of the world. Peace be on our Master and Prophet Abi Al Qassem Mohammad and on his chaste Household, chosen companions and on all prophets and messengers. Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings. We meet today with a clear-cut aim. We gather here to express our solidarity stand with the Egyptian people and youth as well as with the Tunisian people and youth. However before tackling some important points – and I am very cautious not to take much of your time and to reiterate what the dear speakers had already said as they were great in all what they said - I would like first to address the Tunisian people and now the Egyptian people with an apology for being a few day late in holding this rally. It's not that we were hesitant of doubtful or needed more contemplation – as we are parties which have this long history in resisting the US-Israeli project in Lebanon and the region and we can't stand on the hill when the struggle is between righteousness and oppression and between the oppressor and the oppressed. We were rather cautious that you won't be accused as you are accused now. This is what called on us to take a few days.
http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com/2011/02/peech-of-hezbollah-secretary-general.html

Palestinians in Gaza feed Egyptian troops, Mohammed Omer
RAFAH, occupied Gaza Strip (IPS) - Mustapha Suleiman, 27, from J Block east of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, crosses through gaps in the iron fence on the border carrying bread, water, cans of meat and a handful of vegetables for Egyptian soldiers stationed on the other side.  "Whatever you offer on Saturday you will receive on Sunday," Suleiman says. "I am ready to help with what I have, for all the work they do."  Egyptian troops have run short of essential supplies, caught up in clashes involving Bedouin groups. Serious clashes have erupted between riot police and Bedouin groups over the past two weeks.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11793.shtml

'We're all Egyptians'
The Lebanese have been glued to television coverage of Egypt's protests, but so far there has been more talk than action as a result, reports Lucy Fielder from Beirut Until a wave of people power swept Tunisia and then Egypt, Lebanon was seen as the Arab world's reigning champion for street protests.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1034/sc2003.htm

" I Am Egypt " video.. in support to all egyptians who had lost their lives in the unfolding events of the 25th of January 2011 Revolution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avfu8WX-jLU&feature=player_embedded#at=20

“Standing in Solidarity”
In record time, filmmaker, social activist, journalist, all-around-badass Hena Ashraf produces a video exhibiting the scores of cross-cultural support by New Yorkers for the Egyptian people's pro-democracy protests.
http://www.kabobfest.com/2011/02/standing-in-solidarity.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kabobfest%2FGrillMe+%28KABOBfest%29

Celebs <3 Egypt
Egypt is big news everywhere these days; while it’s little surprise to see the world laying down support, it’s no longer just the masses, but the celebs as well. On Twitter, celebrities share their support, news items, and, well, occasionally use the Egyptian people’s uprising to capitalize on their own fame.
http://www.kabobfest.com/2011/02/celebs-3-egypt.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kabobfest%2FGrillMe+%28KABOBfest%29

Friends of the Dictator (Saudi Arabia and Israel on the same Anti-Democratic Page)
Saudi Arabia & Israel happy to see Mubarak "strong & defiant"...
"...Israeli lawmaker Benjamin Ben-Eliezer — who spoke with the Egyptian president by phone on Thursday before his speech — described Mubarak as "different from what I heard on the news. .... He sounded very strong and defiant, .... He analyzed the situation properly and tried to predict the future of the Middle East."   In Saudi Arabia, officials have offered Mubarak a place to live, but have advised him not to leave, an Arab diplomatic source told CNN. Saudi Arabia has denounced the "flagrant interference of some countries" in the internal affairs of Egypt, ...(says) Saud al Faisal..."
http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/2011/02/saudi-arabia-israel-happy-to-see.html

Israelis appear relieved at Mubarak's decision not to quit; reaction muted elsewhere in region
JERUSALEM - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's late-night announcement that he would not quit was met Friday with little or no official reaction throughout the region as leaders cautiously awaited another day of protests in Cairo and continued to try to gauge what impact the political stalemate in Egypt would have on their own rule.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/11/AR2011021101408.html?wprss=rss_world/mideast

Israeli officials: Mubarak wants honorable exit
The Egyptian president 'wants to end it on his feet and not on his knees,' a former Israeli defense minister says. Hosni Mubarak realizes he must step down and is looking for an honorable way out, a former Israeli Cabinet minister who has long known Egypt's embattled leader said Friday.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/VNgaNwJWsRU/la-fgw-egypt-israel-20110212,0,2464051.story

Ashkenazi: Keep Israel strong in changing Mideast
Outgoing army chief says last days of his term dedicated to security issues, helping his replacement Benny Gantz.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4026983,00.html

Israel urges U.S. to reaffirm support in light of Egypt unrest
U.S. officials meeting Barak stress administration's 'unshakeable' commitment; Israeli envoy: Foreign aid to Israel can't be taken for granted.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-urges-u-s-to-reaffirm-support-in-light-of-egypt-unrest-1.342467

Israel minister says Egypt needs time for change (Reuters)
Reuters - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Thursday the world should encourage change in Egypt but give the country enough time to prevent it from falling into the hands of "extremists."
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110211/wl_nm/us_egypt_israel

Israeli and PA Forces Suppress Solidarity with Egyptians
Despite Palestinian Authority (PA) officials banning anti-Mubarak demonstrations, hundreds rallied in support. On February 5, Jerusalem Post writer Khaled Abu Toameh headlined, "100s demonstrate in Ramallah in support of Egyptians," saying:  Marching in Ramallah with Egyptian flags, they publicly supported them "(f)or the first time since the beginning of the(ir( uprising...." Another Ramallah demonstration followed as well as a Bethlehem one.  Toameh's February 2 article was in stark contrast headlined, "PA launches pro-Mubarak demonstration in Ramallah," denouncing Mohamed ElBaradei as a "CIA agent."
http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/02/israeli-and-pa-forces-suppress.html

As'ad Abukhalil's  Commentary
Why Israel's years are numbered
Think about it: the panic and fear that is gripping Israel.  Its temporary security is purely based on 1) US support; 2) the preservation of pro-US dictatorships that provide Israel with support and security.  Now let us say factor one stays for a long time, factor 2 is very temporary.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-israels-years-are-numbered.html

A Letter to Queen Rania of Jordan
Dear Queen Rania: you and I have not been close over the years.  In fact, we did not get along.  But I am now worried about you.  I last heard from you on twitter when you said that you are closely watching events in Tunisia.  What has happened? What is up?  Are you not doing well?  We need you to tweet, please.  I really need to know this: are you and that buffoon husband of yours watching closely the events in Egypt? I am curious.  Sincerely yours,
Angry Arab
PS Will we meet in Davos any time in the future?
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/letter-to-queen-rania-of-jordan.html

Communique Number Two
The Communique Number Two by the Egyptian Military High Command makes it clear: it is part and parcel with the regime of Mubarak, and they are closely working with Israel/US/Saudi Arabia to prolong the life of the regime.  I strongly disagree with comrade Azmi Bisharah today that it was a good communique and that it should reassure demonstrators.  It is an American-made communique: the US would not let a military coup in Egypt: and i don't buy the news and stories (I even posted one yesterday) about a discussion of a coup among the top generals.  The US fear that a coup would set a precedent and may pose a threat to its future puppets.  All that said, the momentum of the people is just incredible.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/communique-number-two_11.html

Aljazeera Arabic
I spoke on Aljazeera Arabic last night (early morning Middle East time) and I did not have time to alert you.  I wanted to make it clear that I don't buy the stories that Obama was "shocked" that Mubarak did not step down when he never once has publicly asked him to step down.  Who are you fooling, Obama?
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/aljazeera-arabic_11.html

Egyptian Army
In this crisis, don't look for top corrupt generals to save the day: look for defections in the lower ranks and dramatic statements and proclamations.  Nasser and his top "Free Officers" were not top generals, remember.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/egyptian-army_11.html

scared of aljazeera
Arab regimes are now more terrified than ever of Aljazeera and its powers.  Yesterday, Prince Saud Faysal made expansive remarks about Egypt (in defense of Mubarak of course) and talked in vague terms about manipulation and exploitation (just as UAE's Abdullah bin Zayid did days earlier) but did not dare to utter the word "aljazeera" once.  They are now so scared of it.  Nile sate went back on carrying the channel.  Al-Arabiyyah (news station of King Fahd's brother-in-law) sank deeper in oblivion during the crisis.  Al-Hurra, while no one watches it, will be mocked and remembered for its false rumors that it has been spreading (yesterday, they located Mubarak in Dubai).
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/scared-of-aljazeera.html

Samir Ja`ja` (Ga`ga` in Egyptian accent) and `Umar Sulayman
A most reliable source sent me this:  "According to one of his advisers, Samir Geagea told his supporters today that Omar Suleiman was a stalwart ally and a " 'Oudou Charaf" (honorary member) in the LF."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/samir-jaja-gaga-in-egyptian-accent-and.html

palaces
Do you see how many palaces Sadat and Mubarak have all over Egypt? More luxurious than Saddam's palaces which were the target of an American media obsession.  Many of the palaces are inherited from King Faruq's time: I visited the `Abdin Palace as a child in Cairo and I remember how impressed my siblings and I were with the bath tub of Mr. Faruq.  Of course, Nasser never occupied any of those palaces as a matter of principle.  Sadat reversed that and he and his wife alledgedly helped themselves to the valuable pieces in them.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/palaces.html

The Billionaire has spoken
The Egyptian billionaire, Najib Sawiris, is speaking on Al-Arabiyyah TV (news station of King Fahd's brother-in-law).  He is one of the "Wise Men"--self-appointed and self-designated.  He called on people in Tahrir Square to respond favorably to the speech by Mubarak.  All the billionaires in the Square cheered Mr. Sawiris, and the rest ignored him.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/billionaire-has-spoken.html

The Speech
This speech will go down in history as the dumbest speech ever delivered by a dictator.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/speech.html

O, cry for him o Zionist occupation entity
It is fair to assume that Netanyaho and his ministers are either fainting or throwing up (or both) as we speak.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/o-cry-for-him-o-zionist-occupation.html

News from Egypt military high command
A most reliable source sent me this: "D.C is striving to transfer the president's power to omri shlomo [`umar sulayman].   anan & most senior officers are against. only the commanders of the air force & republican guard are [in favor].  tantawi is in the middle.  anan will win"
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/news-from-egypt-military-high-command.html

Gaza tunnels
I strongly suggest that a highway be constructed inside the Gaza tunnels to facilitate movement.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/gaza-tunnels_10.html

Mubarak
He is packing all the Israeli flags in Egypt in his suitcase.  He would need them in his retirement to wipe his tears. 
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/mubarak.html

humiliation of a dictator
I am so thrilled that Mubarak was so humiliated in his ouster.  I mean, if he was ousted back on Jan. 25th, it would not have been the same humiliation.  He got to watch for days and days the hatred and detestation by the Egyptian people.  Today, is the down fall of the Sadat-Mubarak regime. Make no mistake about it. 
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/humiliation-of-dictator.html

Mubarak TV
Aljazeera TV has reported that staff of the Egyptian Mubarak TV has fled the building. 
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/mubarak-tv_10.html

When Husni Mubarak meets Zayn Al-`Abidin bin `Ali
How will that meeting go? Will there be tears? How emotional will it be?  Will Jamal Mubarak bond with the children of Bin `Ali?  I wonder.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/when-husni-mubarak-meets-zayn-al-abidin.html

Mubarak off to Bahrain?
I am receiving information that Mubarak is off to Bahrain.  That would be cool: a revolt against the Baharaini government would await him there.  ha.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/mubarak-off-to-bahrain.html

Saudi-controlled Arab state system
Comrade Amer sent me this: "Thing are getting out of hand for the Saudis, they seemed to have the
entire Middle East within their grasps only so recently. I remember seeing no way out except for an internal or external conflict with Saudi Arabia itself."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/saudi-controlled-arab-state-system.html

Egyptian liberalism
All the liberal intellectuals of Egypt where solidly aligned with the Mubarak dictatorship, and served as his most loyal propagandists.  Do you think that the Egyptian people will forget that?
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/egyptian-liberalism.html

Egyptian writers and intellectuals
I call on my Egyptian comrades and friends to assemble an anthology of shame in which they collect all the pro-Mubarak utterances and articles and speeches made by Egyptian writers, journalists, and intellectuals.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/egyptian-writers-and-intellectuals.html

Zionists are freaking out: they are working on keeping Mubarak alive forever
"As Israel faces what many fear could turn into its most serious national security threat in decades, fault lines are widening over how it should respond and some critics say the government appears ill prepared.  The mounting pressure to force out Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is widely seen as Israel's most predictable Arab ally, and the uncertainty about what sort of government might replace his is fueling anxiety and debate here over Israel's next move.  "This whole situation is making Israel's hawks more hawkish and the doves more dovish," said Yossi Alpher, a former government peace talks advisor and co-editor of Bitterlemons.org, a Mideast political research firm."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/zionists-are-freaking-out-they-are.html

Rivers of tears in Israel
Eyewitnesses in occupied Palestine report to me that there are rivers of tears all over Israel due to non-stop sobbing by Israelis.  Their puppet is gone.  More on this developing story.  The Israeli cabinet met and issued a stern statement.  Let me translate from Hebrew: booo hooo hoo boo hoo hoo.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/rivers-of-tears-in-israel.html

Ramadan Iftar
Guess: who is more likely to have Iftar in Cairo next Ramadan?  Netanyaho (as he did at the invitation of Mubarak last Ramadan) or Isma`il Haniyyah?
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/ramadan-iftar.html

Netanyaho in Cairo?
I mean, Zionists like Thomas Friedman are insistent that there are no foreign policy goals of the protesters.  So since the Israeli government is in deep mourning over the departure of Mubarak, I suggest that Netyanyaho should fly to Cairo to show respect for his dear puppet, Mubarak.  Wait: do you think that the Egyptian protesters would welcome Netanyaho warmly?  I mean, Thomas Friedman said that they really don't mind Mubarak's foreign policies.  So why not try it?  I think that Netanyaho should even enter the Tahrir Square on a camel (provided the camel is placed in body armor for his protection).  Oh, yeah. 
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/netanyaho-in-cairo.html

Guess who is terrified?
"Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday stressed the importance of U.S. support for Israeli security in light of the political unrest in Egypt, while Ambassador Michael Oren urged the Obama administration to reaffirm its commitment to that regard."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/guess-who-is-terrified.html

Egyptian military and Israeli worries
"Typically frank, MOD Political-Military Chief Amos Gilad was not certain how much longer Egyptian President Mubarak would live, and questioned whether his son Gamal was ready to assume command. Gilad said the Egyptia military led by Defense Minister Tantawi continues to train and exercise as if "Israel was its only enemy." He added that there were disturbing signs on the Egyptian streets, as women are dressed more conservatively, and that peace with Israel "is too thin, too superficial."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/egyptian-military-and-israeli-worries.html

It is all about Israel, for Obama
"The other camp includes Dennis Ross, a former Middle East peace negotiator for Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Ross, who has strong ties to Israel, is the author of a 2007 book that advised against treating the Muslim Brotherhood as a potential partner in Egypt's political future, noting the group's refusal to renounce violence "as a tool of other Islamists."  Apart from managing the crisis, the White House is consulting with outside interest groups and foreign governments to ensure that its message is getting through.  National Security Council member Daniel Shapiro has sought to reassure pro-Israel groups that the inclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt's political negotiations would not undermine the country's peace treaty with Israel, according to people who have talked with him. Shapiro, who led outreach to Jewish voters in Obama's presidential campaign, has tended to the president's relations with Israel and other regional partners, as well as with Jewish leaders in the U.S."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/it-is-all-about-israel-for-obama.html

Israelis are so freaking out
"Israelis are bracing for a more adversarial regime in Egypt, one they expect could lead their country to expand its army, fortify the two countries' desert frontier and possibly re-invade the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip. Three decades after Israel settled into a "cold peace" with Egypt—breaking its encirclement by hostile Arab states but failing to win much popular sympathy from Egyptians—Israeli officials are reviewing the ways the U.S.-backed transition in Cairo could affect the Jewish state."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/israelis-are-so-freaking-out.html

Israeli embassy in Cairo
An ad just appeared in Al-Ahram.  The apartment in which the Israeli embassy in Cairo is located is now up for sale.  But it requires weeks of cleaning from Zionism.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/israeli-embassy-in-cairo.html

democracy in the Middle East
"For years we've been told that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. What we weren't told is that Western leaders, including Harper, have been trying to keep it that way."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/democracy-in-middle-east.html

Saudi King: second best friend of Mubarak
"It was reported last night that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia contacted the White House last week over concerns about changing the regime in Egypt. Saudi Arabia was warning that it would bankroll Egypt if the US withdrew its aid programme worth $1.5bn annually.  "Mubarak and King Abdullah are not just allies, they are close friends, and the King is not about to see his friend cast aside and humiliated," a senior source in the Saudi capital told The Times."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/saudi-king-second-best-friend-of.html

On Egyptian mourning
Dalia sent me this with this comment: "the west can’t decide whether we don’t remember the names of our dead, or if we wallow in a culture of death."  Here is the piece in the LA times: "Protest leaders increasingly are using such victims, whom they call "martyrs to the revolution," and their grieving mothers, to keep passions stoked as Egypt's tumult enters a third week. Anonymous in life, but venerated nationally in death, the victims serve as reminders of government brutality and rallying cries for each new protest and parade.  Huge photos of several of the slain — some bloodied and bruised, their wounds displayed in grisly detail — adorn fences around the square. Smaller photos were carried like religious icons in grim processions through the throngs Wednesday. The chanting crowd hailed the victims as martyrs, a potent symbol for the mostly-Muslim protesters, and praised their mothers for their sacrifice."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/on-egyptian-mourning.html

Analysis/Op-ed
Mubarak teases Egypt as his regime fragments
Hosni Mubarak's insulting speech showed why he ought to go, but the struggle on the streets is no longer the only game in town
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/11/mubarak-egypt-hosni

Robert Fisk: As Mubarak clings on... What now for Egypt?
To the horror of Egyptians and the world, President Hosni Mubarak – haggard and apparently disoriented – appeared on state television last night to refuse every demand of his opponents by staying in power for at least another five months. The Egyptian army, which had already initiated a virtual coup d'état, was nonplussed by the President's speech which had been widely advertised – by both his friends and his enemies – as a farewell address after 30 years of dictatorship. The vast crowds in Tahrir Square were almost insane with anger and resentment.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-as-mubarak-clings-on-what-now-for-egypt-2211287.html

Egypt's revolution through a million eyes
With today's technology, every person on the street with a cell phone can be a reporter and the entire world can bear witness almost in real time to what happens in the dark alleyways and secret corners of a police state. Yet even this has its risks.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11789.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+electronicIntifadaPalestine+%28Electronic+Intifada+%3A+Palestine+News%29

In Egyptian uprising, crowds learn quickly
LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - When news first broke that President Hosni Mubarak was about to step down, the mood on Twitter was jubilant.  "Mission accomplished. Thanks to all the brave young Egyptians," Wael Ghonim, the young Google executive who became an unlikely hero of the uprising, posted on his Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/Ghonim)  "People insanely cheerfull," posted an Egyptian blogger known as Sandmonkey. "There isn't an empty inch in Tahrir." (http://twitter.com/Sandmonkey)  But then came the doubts. The powerful military which has dominated Egypt since toppling the monarchy in 1952 was perhaps, they said, simply reasserting its authority by announcing it was taking control of the nation, while sacrificing Mubarak. "Er .... coup?" journalist and blogger Issandr el-Amrani asked on his Twitter feed. (http://twitter.com/arabist)
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/in-egyptian-uprising-crowds-learn-quickly

The Wiles of Mubarak
No doubt Issandr and others will have their theories on what calculations, or miscalculations, might have been behind Mubarak's non-resignation speech tonight. Here are a few thoughts from my end...
http://www.arabist.net/blog/2011/2/11/the-wiles-of-mubarak.html

“I think Suleiman should be on the same plane as Mubarak ...”
".... a dicey situation, post-Mubarak: the Egyptian military will be in charge of the country, and military rule has a tendency to last beyond its expiration date. But if U.S. military officials are to believed, there’s reason for hope. U.S. military-to-military ties with Egypt are broad, deep and “pre-Mubarak,” as a senior U.S. military officer puts it. The officer asked to speak on background, given the fluidity of the situation, before Mubarak gives a speech expected to be his valedictory address. But he said that the wages of that long relationship are “intangible benefits” about how the Egyptian military knows what the U.S. expects of it: to step aside after new presidential elections produce a civilian leader and a democratic transition. “They’re a secular, national force,” the officer says; meaning:they get it. “There’s a common awareness, an understanding with them, and, obviously, we sell a lot to them,” the officer says. That’s $1.3 billion worth of influence, every year. The sheer size of that exchange keeps Egypt as a significant military power in the Middle East — which means the U.S. doesn’t have to threaten to cut off aid to make its desires clear. The Egyptian demonstrators in Tahrir Square “trust the military,” says Sherif Mansour of Freedom Watch, “but there is caution about what happens tomorrow.” Egypt’s democratic revolutionaries are willing to tolerate military rule only in a transitory sense to get rid of Mubarak, revise the constitution and pave the way to elections later this year. But they also want to make sure that Mubarak’s allies go, including Vice President Omar Suleiman. “I think Suleiman should be on the same plane as Mubarak,” Mansour says. Without military backing, “I don’t think he can stay in power.” If the military decides to back Suleiman, the sense of trust with the protesters will be badly damaged: “This will be clarified very soon,” he says, “when the situation with Suleiman ends.”
http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-think-suleiman-should-be-on-same.html

Has Mubarak totally gone insane?!
I have just listened to Mubarak addressing the Egyptian nation on al-Jazeera.  Since this morning there were plenty of rumors that the guy would finally quit.  Al-Jazeera showed amazing images.  On the left side of the screen, Mubarak was listing all his (assumed) qualities.  On the right the people at Tahrir square (fully packed) were screaming from the top of their lungs "he shall leave!".  And then, finally, Mubarak announced that he is transferring his powers to his Vice-President Suleiman and then he announced that he was staying until September?!?!
http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com/2011/02/has-mubarak-totally-gone-insane.html

Hurriya is Arabic for Freedom: Just Listen to Egypt Roar, Ramzy Baroud
'Just listen to that roar,' urged a CNN correspondent in Egypt, as thousands of Egyptian protesters charged, fists pumped, against hundreds of armed Egyptian security forces. What a roar it was, indeed. The protests have shown the world that Arabs are capable of much more than merely being pitiable statistics of unemployment and illiteracy, or powerless subjects of ‘moderate’ but ‘strong’ leaders (an acronym for friendly dictators).
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16634

The Egyptian uprising is united in one goal – Remove the Mubarak regime, Sarah Hawas
It's not Facebook, or Twitter, or the Muslim Brotherhood, or the middle class, or Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, the CIA, Mossad, Saudi, the PA, Timbuktu OR the illuminati! Read the signs - aren't there enough? This uprising has one single goal - the removal of Mubarak and his regime, and nothing less than that. Mubarak himself says he's "fed up" with being president. One of many running jokes on the streets here in Cairo suggests that any day now he might just self-immolate in protest! Perhaps we could all calm down and review the symptoms before, next thing we know, the Haitians are being accused of financially backing this uprising!
http://mondoweiss.net/2011/02/the-egyptian-uprising-is-united-in-one-goal-remove-the-mubarak-regime.html

For Egypt, this is the miracle of Tahrir Square | Slavoj Žižek
There is no room for compromise. Either the entire Mubarak edifice falls, or the uprising is betrayed. One cannot but note the "miraculous" nature of the events in Egypt: something has happened that few predicted, violating the experts' opinions, as if the uprising was not simply the result of social causes but the intervention of a mysterious agency that we can call, in a Platonic way, the eternal idea of freedom, justice and dignity.  The uprising was universal: it was immediately possible for all of us around the world to identify with it, to recognise what it was about, without any need for cultural analysis of the features of Egyptian society. In contrast to Iran's Khomeini revolution (where leftists had to smuggle their message into the predominantly Islamist frame), here the frame is clearly that of a universal secular call for freedom and justice, so that the Muslim Brotherhood had to adopt the language of secular demands.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2011/feb/10/egypt-miracle-tahrir-square

Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?
With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak appearing to be headed out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Ousted world leaders have a history of slipping away to other countries and living a life of relative anonymity and leisure in exile. If President Mubarak joins the ranks of those who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere, where will he go? Some of his predecessors’ choices could give some guidance.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/iLqja8gZpRU/Hosni-Mubarak-s-exit-plan-Where-do-exiled-leaders-go

Egypt, and the Post-Islamist Middle East
For years, western political elites and their local allies have charged the Arab peoples with political apathy and lethargy. The argument that Arabs are uninterested in seeking to wrest greater democratic freedoms from their authoritarian rulers always rested on shaky foundations. But now that millions of Egyptians, following the Tunisians’ example, have proved it wrong by mobilising against power, the sceptical ground has adjusted: toward the murmured fear that Egypt’s uprising would develop into an “Islamist revolution” along the lines - demagogic, violent, intransigent, expansionist, anti-western - of that of Iran in 1979.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/snap-analysis-if-mubarak-goes-us-must-reassure-other-allies

Sykes-Picot to Mubarak-Suleiman: the beginning of the end, Mazin Qumsiyeh
http://groups.google.com/group/newprofile/browse_thread/thread/522660a856c82e80/47c22f6a71a530f0?show_docid=47c22f6a71a530f0

Memo from Egypt: We Shall Not Be Moved, Ahmed Amr – Cairo
With every passing day, the Egyptian uprising gathers strength as more citizens rally to the cause and demand the immediate resignation of Hosni Mubarak. The regime's pillars are crumbling. Yesterday, the demonstrators surged out of Tahrir Square and marched towards the National Assembly and the building that houses the Ministry of Interior. But perhaps the most important development was the smaller demonstrations held in front of government owned media outlets and the resignations of a number of prominent journalists on the regime’s payroll.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16633

Reasons Mubarak Is Late: Twitter Is Buzzing
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to give a major speech any minute now and speculation is widespread that he may finally resign following weeks of protests. Mubarak was first supposed to speak at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Then 2 p.m. Then 3 p.m. It's 3:15 (10:15 p.m. in Egypt) and counting. Nothing like taking your grand ole time while Egypt and the world waits. Twitter is speculating why this is. Here are some of the best responses yet. Let us know of others you've seen!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/reasons-mubarak-is-late_n_821535.html

The Beginning of a New Challenge for Egypt? [Ongoing Post]
Earlier today Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced that it intends “to safeguard people and protect their interest” and it will stay in session throughout the ongoing crisis. The content and the title of the statement (“communiqué number 1”) suggest that we will hear more from the army in the coming days and that its leader may be calling the shots. Television footage of their meeting shows that Egypt's President and Commander-in-Chief Hosni Mubarak was not present in the room. Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak plans to give a LIVE address from the heliopolis presidential palace in Cairo. Is this Mubarak’s farewell address? Are 30 years of Mubarak over?
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/604/the-beginning-of-a-new-challenge-for-egypt_ongoing-post-

The Middle East does not need stability, Gideon Levy
This so-called stability encompasses millions of Arabs living under criminal regimes and evil tyrannies.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/the-middle-east-does-not-need-stability-1.342381

Egypt's New Vice President is Washington's Proxy Torturer [Counterpoint Interview]
After almost three weeks of intense street protests in Egypt demanding the removal of President Hosni Mubarak from power, more than 300 people were reported to have died in clashes between demonstrators, police and government supporters. Despite concessions such as Mubarak's pledge to not run in the presidential election scheduled for September and constitutional reform, the number of protesters in Tahrir Square in central Cairo swelled on Feb. 8. On that day, the crowd gave a hero's welcome to Wael Ghonim, a Google executive who had set up a Facebook page that many credit with inspiring the massive protests, after he was freed from 12 days in jail.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/607/egypts-new-vice-president-is-washingtons-proxy-torturer_counterpoint-interview-

Stephen Zunes: Why Egypt Will Not Turn Into Another Iran
The difference between Egypt today and Iran of the late 1970s is striking. There is virtually no chance that Egypt will take such a tragic turn should the revolution succeed.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-zunes/why-israel-will-not-turn-_b_821684.html

Egypt: Change is in the Air, Aijaz Zaka Syed – Dubai
Here's something from Egypt to cheer you up at last. President Hosni Mubarak's speech writer enters his office in a tearing hurry with a piece of paper in his hand. 'Here you go, Mr President! Your final address to the nation.'  “What happened?” asks a stunned Mubarak. “Are all Egyptians leaving the country?”  The Egyptians are known throughout the Arab world for their zany, irrepressible sense of humor. So I am sure this, posted on a website frequented by fellow travelers of the Diaspora, must have originated in the land of pyramids and pharaohs. But seriously speaking, how ludicrously blasé and brazen can one get?
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16637

Mubarak's Defiance, Phyllis Bennis
After deliberately raising the hopes of millions of Egyptians and millions more around the world, U.S.-backed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak defied the rising demand of the millions of protesters who have taken to Egypt's streets, to announce he will remain in office. Claiming he wouldn't bow to "foreign pressure," Mubarak, he said he had "laid down a vision...to exit the current crisis, and to realize the demands voiced by the youth and citizens...without violating the Constitution."
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/02/11-4

Revolutionary thought, Philip Weiss
For years my main reservation about the one-state/binational solution for Israel/Palestine was that realists said that even if democracy is the right thing, it would take years of bloodshed to get there. And I have given that argument weight.  Did anyone think that Egypt could get as far as it has toward democracy so swiftly, and with so little bloodshed? Did any of these people on TV ever ever admit the possibility that politically-sophisticated Arabs could lead a revolution without slicing people's throats? NO. Let Egypt be a light unto the nations. Let us climb down from suspicion of other races. Let us imagine a peaceful transition to democracy in Egypt's neighbors too.
http://mondoweiss.net/2011/02/revolutionary-thought.html

The Beginning of a New Challenge for Egypt?
Earlier today Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced that it intends “to safeguard people and protect their interest” and it will stay in session throughout the ongoing crisis. The content and the title of the statement (“communiqué number 1”) suggest that we will hear more from the army in the coming days and that its leader may be calling the shots. Television footage of their meeting shows that Egypt's President and Commander-in-Chief Hosni Mubarak was not present in the room. Egyptian state television announced that Mubarak plans to give a LIVE address from the Heliopolis Presidential Palace in Cairo. Is this Mubarak’s farewell address? Are 30 years of Mubarak over?
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/604/the-beginning-of-a-new-challenge-for-egypt_updated-9-00-pm-est-

"Egyptian Jokes about Hosni Mubarak"
The Interior Minister asks Hosni Mubarak to write a "Farewell Letter" to the Egyptian people. Mubarak replies: "Why? Where are they going?"
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/jokes100211.html

Obama and Egyptian Liberation, KEVIN ALEXANDER GRAY
President Barack Obama needs to stop being two-faced on Egypt. On one side of his public face he gives the impression of pressing Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak to consider his legacy and “leave power in a way that would give his country the best chance for peace and democracy.”  But then he sent presidential envoy Frank Wisner to Cairo, who later publicly urged Mubarak to remain in power, saying, “President Mubarak's continued leadership is critical.”
http://www.counterpunch.com/gray02102011.html

American Duplicity in Egypt, THOMAS H. NAYLOR
When the news first broke that there were hundreds of thousands of anti-government demonstrators marching on Tahrir Square in Cairo demanding the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, I was thrilled.  Did this mean that the type of popular revolt which had brought down the authoritarian government of Tunisia was spreading and might soon engulf other Arab countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa resulting in the collapse of authoritarian regimes such as those found in Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen?  Were we witnessing the beginning of a new, more democratic world disorder?  Nothing could be farther from the truth.
http://www.counterpunch.com/naylor02102011.html

Egypt's Dignity Revolution, SALWA ISMAIL
In commenting on the unfolding Egyptian revolution, media and analysts have emphasised the role of social media in building up networks of dissidents and facilitating the organisation of protests. Some have credited the 'Facebook generation' with lighting the spark of collective action. Undoubtedly, social media activists, in calling for 'the day of anger', put the tools of virtual communication to remarkable use. However these 'days of anger' can only be understood if we look at what the vast majority of Egyptians have experienced over the last three decades under Mubarak's rule.
http://www.counterpunch.com/ismail02102011.html

In Egypt, the Strikers Take Center Stage, JANE SLAUGHTER
Though all eyes are on Cairo and its Liberation Square, few could know that Egyptian workers have been protesting and striking in huge numbers for years.  In a 2009 AFL-CIO report Stanford historian Joel Beinin wrote, "The current wave of protests is erupting from the largest social movement Egypt has witnessed in more than half a century. Over 1.7 million workers engaged in more than 1,900 strikes and other forms of protest from 2004 to 2008."
http://www.counterpunch.com/slaughter02102011.html

Why Arab Democracy is Good for America, Maher Massis, Ph.D.
We are currently witnessing an unprecedented shift in Arab politics that has caught the whole world, even the Egyptians themselves by surprise. The uprising and it's epi-center Tahrir Square (Freedom Square) is the Arab world's version of the fall of the Berlin Wall.    For many decades, the general Arab political discourse was defined by the West as the need to strengthen pro-Western dictatorships because of the fear of the alternative which is Iranian style Islamist regimes. Now, the Tahrir Square movement has clearly forced the West to rethink this perspective by showing that there is a third way -- the rise of broad based democratic movements that reject totalitarianism and extremism. We should not fear this change because its uncertain outcome, but rather embrace it and take an active role in encouraging democratic change throughout the Arab world.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16636

Good joke from Egypt
The Interior Minister asks Hosni Mubarak to write a "Farewell Letter" to the Egyptian people. Mubarak replies: "Why? Where are they going?"
http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com/2011/02/good-joke-from-egypt.html

Carlos Latuff, "Egypt: By Any Means Necessary" (Cartoon)
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/latuff110211.html

Tunisia and Egypt Ripples Though the Arab World
Iraqis anger spelled out in street protests
Iraqis’ demands may differ; however, their voice of anger is united. Demonstrators in Baghdad and mainly in Sadr City took to the streets on Thursday in denunciation to lack of services, unemployment and unfair apportionment. The public sector employees joined residents in their rally.
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-60223-Iraqis-anger-spelled-out-in-street-protests.html

Iraqi bloggers use Facebook to call for demonstrations
London, Asharq Al-Awsat – Comments posted by Iraqis, both inside and outside of the country, on the social networking website "Facebook" in favor and support of the young Egyptians protesting in Cairo's Tahrir Square have now transformed into a call for Iraqi citizens to conduct peaceful demonstrations calling for improved government services, more security, and improved political and economic conditions. This comes as a knock-on effect from what is happening in Egypt, with regards to the protests against President Hosni Mubarak which have now entered their second week. The anti-Mubarak protests and demonstrations in Egypt are continuing strongly despite the fact that Mubarak has promised to implement the constitutional amendments demanded by the demonstrations and announced that he would be delegating the bulk of his presidential powers to his deputy, Vice President Omar Suleiman.
http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=24117

Gaddafi ready for Libya's "Day of Rage"
Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has dealt with the calls being issued by the National Conference for the Libyan Opposition [NCLO] and Libyan [political] activists for a Libyan "Day of Rage" to take place on 17 February, modeled on similar events in Tunisia and Egypt, by issuing an unprecedented warnings against any attempts to create chaos and instability in Libya.
http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=&id=24095

News from Bahrain
Yahya sent me this: "Hi As'ad, I have this urgent news from Bahrain. It seems that Al-Jazeera is now banned in a number of hotels in Bahrain. I've asked for the reasons and some answers say that they have "recommendations" not to display the channel while others spoke to me that their managements are banning the channel due to high orders from the regime. However, Al-Arabiya is untouched."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/news-from-bahrain.html

Bahraini counter-revolution has begun (before even the revolution has begun)
"The Bahraini counter-revolution has begun and in a manner befitting to the buffoons that lead us.  This article (link below) in a local propoganda rag is saying, yes we want a revolution but not now because 'any intifada will benefit Iranian mullahs'
ليس الأن يا احرار البحرين.. لا تفتحوا الباب على مصراعيه لجارتكم الغولة إيران.. لا تخاطروا بثورة مبكرة تأتي في غير ميعادها.. وقد يحركها اقطاب كثيرون لهم أجنداتهم التي تختلف عن الظلم الذي قد يكون واقع عليكم يا ابناء البحرين الأحرار.   "Not now oh the free people of Bahrain...do not open the doors to the invader iran. Do not take the risk with an early revolution before the time has come....that may become manipulated by many parties with their own agendas other than the oppression which may be reality for your of 
the free people of Bahrain." (thanks comrades in Bahrain)
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/bahraini-counter-revolution-has-begun.html

Jordan's new cabinet looks oddly familiar
Using cabinet ministers as scapegoats, only to replace them with a nearly identical lineup, is a well-worn tactic in Jordan. Still, many people appear cautiously optimistic that political reforms are nearing.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/d7aqnpcYpI8/Jordan-s-new-cabinet-looks-oddly-familiar

Holding on
Yemen's president compromises but resists demands of protesters
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-12414147

{ 188 comments… read them below or add one }

Antidote February 11, 2011 at 11:12 am

YEAAHHH! Watching: Mubarak steps down on AJE. Congratulations, Egyptian people. You are truly amazing. Keep going!

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Psychopathic god February 11, 2011 at 2:21 pm

Congratulations Egypt!

vaya con Dios.

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Seham February 11, 2011 at 11:16 am

Egypt, we LOVE YOU!

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WeAreAllMadeOfStars February 11, 2011 at 11:17 am

One of the very few Arabic word I know … “Mabrouk” you all Egyptians … I am so happy, so proud of you … I am watching on AJE and it’s so beautiful I feel like crying …

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Seham February 11, 2011 at 11:20 am

The old man went rogue yesterday after all!

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Potsherd2 February 11, 2011 at 11:33 am

Yep. He just couldn’t go through with it. Suleiman had to speak for him.

I really wonder, from some accounts, whether the old guy has some dementia problem.

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 11:39 am

Many politicians end in dementia.

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Chaos4700 February 11, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Heck, many of them start in dementia. See also: John McCain.

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Republicans have recruited him to run on the 2012 Presidential ticket with Sarah Palin

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 11:23 am

Mabrook EVERYONE!!

Wowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowooweeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Proud of their courage and their unbelievably good manners!

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Citizen February 11, 2011 at 11:24 am

These live tweets from Egypt are saying Murabek has stepped down: http://egypt.hypercities.com/

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 11:28 am

To all you few people out there planning on being a dictator in the near or far future, let the events in Tunisia and Egypt remind you that PEOPLE WILL FROM NOW ON AND ALWAYS HAVE THE FIRST AND FINAL SAY!!!!

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Sumud February 11, 2011 at 11:41 am
Antidote February 11, 2011 at 12:04 pm

Tent city coming to a capital near you!

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marc b. February 11, 2011 at 11:35 am

i hope that suleiman the psychopath will be on the same plane to monaco/dubai/?.

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Seham February 11, 2011 at 11:42 am

Sulieman said that power had been handed over to military not to HIM!

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:48 am

Let’s hope this is so. I sure hope the MSM follows where all of the U.S. foreign aid money ended up?

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Citizen February 11, 2011 at 3:23 pm

MSNBC guy is saying right now, Imagine what the Egyptian people could do right now if they can get a hold of Mubarak’s stolen millions/billions. I read earlier that Switzerland has put a hold on his deposit accounts. In the square people are shouting “We want the money!” Wait until the American taxpayers find out how much. This is just the beginning of average Americans waking up to what their government has wrought at their expense for so many decades. AIPAC’s MSM won’t be able to stop the flow of information.

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marc b. February 11, 2011 at 12:33 pm

regardless. his presence and influence is unwelcome, if i could so presumptuous as to speak for the egyptian people.

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marc b. February 11, 2011 at 12:43 pm

seham, any info on members of military high command?

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:43 am

350 killed or dissappeared. torturer in chief needs to go

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Seham February 11, 2011 at 11:53 am

BBCBreaking BBC Breaking News
#Egypt’s Supreme Military Council to sack cabinet, suspend both houses of parliament and govern with head of Supreme Court, from Reuters

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 12:21 pm

Jimmy Carter all ready moving forward for free and fair elections. We should all continue to push for Carters Election watch group going into help set up the elections

Credible Elections
Jimmy Carter over at Elders

.Even at this point, after the dramatic announcement by the armed forces, no one can predict the ultimate outcome of the Egyptian drama. But there is a clear picture of the existing situation and a few obvious options for the future.

Most Egyptians would like to see an end to public disturbances, restoration of basic human rights and a peaceful transition of authority to a more representative government.

It seems that both sides at least publicly accept the concepts of a few constitutional revisions, some easing of government oppression, and a more genuinely competitive electoral system to prepare for choosing Egypt’s future political leaders.

Other reforms are needed, and agreement on them must be negotiated between what is still President Hosni Mubarak’s appointed government and opposition leaders. A reasonable date for elections must be set, changing the constitution if necessary, and an independent commission established to oversee the process. News media must be given new freedom, peaceful public gatherings authorized, and opposition political parties permitted.

Before these specific reform proposals can be accepted and implemented, there must be a resolution of some more generic issues. Are the basic demands of the opposing voices for freedom and democracy to be accepted?

There were indications coming directly or indirectly from President Mubarak that any amendments to the constitution would be quite limited; that it was premature to lift the emergency law that has been used to limit freedom of assembly and expression of views for 30 years; that Egyptians were not culturally ready for democracy and that such proposals came “from abroad”; and that there would be a limited time during which the demonstrations in Tahrir Square and other places would be permitted.

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Avi February 11, 2011 at 12:43 pm

marc b. February 11, 2011 at 11:35 am

i hope that suleiman the psychopath will be on the same plane to monaco/dubai/?.

Suleiman belongs in a dark 4ft x 4ft cell with Mubarak, for 30 years, at least.

And I’m a bit suspicious of the fact that power was handed to the Military. That’s the same military that last week was telling protesters to go home.

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Citizen February 11, 2011 at 3:28 pm

There’s reason to be concerned because the upper brass military is essentially a caste system.

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WeAreAllMadeOfStars February 11, 2011 at 4:54 pm
seafoid February 11, 2011 at 11:36 am

It is of no use of he is just replaced by a torturing American/Israeli stooge.

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:47 am

Removing the U.S. and Israeli backed dictator now they have to take down the dictatorship.

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 11:37 am

The peaceful power of the people changes ANYTHING the people want to change.

Now the WHOLE world can see this for themselves.

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:42 am

This revolution has been televised.

Now that the U.S. and Israeli supported dictator is gone. Now they have to rid the country of the dictatorship that we have fueled and continue to fuel. “this is the beginning of the new Egypt”

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 11:50 am

How much money is Hosni taking with him?

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 12:24 pm

I sure hope most of his billions can and will be confiscated to pay for the cost of the revolution, feed the people and restart the Egyptian economy. Chances are that the Western plutocrats/leaders will do what it takes to let Mubarak get away with his wealth intact, and exploit their own populations’ approval of a democratic Egypt to save the country from economic and political chaos. Watch out for US and EU aid for Egypt while the Mubarak clan prepares to retire in style, sacrificing nothing but power and pride

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WeAreAllMadeOfStars February 11, 2011 at 2:40 pm

Switzerland froze Mubarak’s asset only 30 minutes after his fall …

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 11:48 am

Imagine the people taking over DC

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/feb/10/obama-edge/?pagination=false

A poll released on January 2 by 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair asked respondents how they would balance the budget. Answers: increase taxes on the wealthy, 61 percent; cut defense spending, 20 percent; cut Medicare, 4 percent; cut Social Security, 3 percent. Evidently the American people are socialists.

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 12:32 pm

Some highly successful corporations, like HP, were and are based on sound socialist principles, according to which the workers own the means of production. Nobody in the US even realizes this. To the average brainwashed American, socialism=dictatorship=evil, while capitalism=freedom=good. Hopeless.

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Kathleen February 12, 2011 at 10:21 am

“Imagine the people taking over DC ”

The powers that be would either throw us all in prison after beating us over the heads if we stayed for 18 days and the MSM media would ignore the protesters as they did before the invasion of Iraq.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 11:43 am

Watching the crowd in Midan Tahrir
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

Imagine those crowds going to the Israeli border and taking down Zionism.
It can’t last.

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:50 am

Could be a slow tidal wave

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:51 am

At least to the 67 border…and wash those illegal settlements out into the light

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 12:27 pm

Kathleen

The NYT of 10 June 1967 has a quote from an Israeli minister stating that the 1948 borders are no longer relevant. When Israel’s day comes that will be what will be told to the leaders of Israel.

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 12:38 pm

The settlers are no democrats, and neither are most Israelis, by the looks of it. Not going to happen unless Israelis become as poor as Palestinians and fight for and against the same thing.

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eljay February 11, 2011 at 11:44 am

>> ‘Egpyt is free’: Mubarak steps down
>> Vice President Omar Suleiman said a military council would run the affairs of the Arab world’s most populous nation. A free and fair presidential election has been promised for September.

September is a long way away, plenty of time for Suleiman the Torturer and his foreign handlers to mess things up.

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Theo February 11, 2011 at 11:45 am

18:03 Cairo, Mubarak is a history!!!!

However we should not rejoyce too much, because nothing really changed, as military coups never bring anything good.
The military is in charge, as before.
The same chief torturer is in charge as before and the same party is ruling, they just changed a few heads. The secret police and the intelligence services are still there, ready to bounce on the protestors at an order from Suleiman. So what is new?
The people of Egypt scared the hell out of their oppressors, Israel and the western countries, who long supported those oppressors. They throw a few bones to the people now, meanwhile, behind the scene, frantic meetings are arranged and discussions on how to keep the power are kept.

Brave people of Egypt, you achieved only the first steps to your freedom, do not believe all those promises. Keep the pressure up until ALL individuals from the old ruling class are removed from power, start with Suleiman, the secret police and even those who made your daily life miserable, the uniformed pigs.
Remember, a million geese can conquer a few thousand pigs.

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Walid February 11, 2011 at 11:55 am

Mabrouk, Egypt; until the next Arab dictatorship falls, I’m hoping of seeing Rafah opened tonight now that the Cast Lead collaborator is finally gone.

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Sumud February 11, 2011 at 11:48 am

AJE have put up the clip of Omar Sillyman announcing Mubarak’s resignation:

Suleiman: Mubarak leaves office

This is really an incredible achievement!

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:57 am

I really think the appropriate tune for Mubarak to sing to the U.S. nowis “why do you build me up…build me up buttercup just to let me down”
Can your guest discuss what Egyptians feel towards Americans and one administration after the next who have supported this oppressive regime for 30 years?

And what does it mean that the military is in control ? Does that mean that Sulieman is out also?

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 11:58 am

oops this went to the Rehm show.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm

i just burst into tears. before i opened the homepaage i said a little prayer

“please let him be gone”, then i opened the page and saw the headline and photo and burst into tears.

it feels really good to share this victory with you all. thank you for being here. i have nothing but extraordinary incredibe good proud feelings towards what the Egyptians have done, they are changing history and i’m witnessing something so great in my lifetime. so great i almost cannot fathom the magnitude of this immense accomplishment.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 12:02 pm

“Israelis appear relieved at Mubarak’s decision not to quit; reaction muted elsewhere in region
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/11/AR2011021101408.html?wprss=rss_world/mideast

I hope they get a dose of Gazan insomnia and begin to realise the immense folly that YESHA is and how it has destroyed all hope of a peaceful rapprochement with the neighbours. And that total control of DC and the New York Review ultimately means nothing.

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 12:57 pm

“And that total control of DC and the New York Review ultimately means nothing.”

Amen to that. Time to realize that they live in the ME, and have to convince Arabs and Muslims, not Americans and Christians, that the Jewish State is an asset rather than a threat to the majority of the people living in the region. The people, not their dictators. I’d start with some sincere apologies for past dealings. My prediction for the next neighborhood leader likely to fall: Netanyahu. Among other possibilities.

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Saleema February 11, 2011 at 12:04 pm

what a joyous day. cannot describe my happiness. I was in the fifth grade when I read of Mubarak’s oppression of his people and today he is gone.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 12:44 pm

The last time I was on the [BBC's] Moral Maze I was hauled over the coals for saying that political violence – as part of a radical protest, say – is sometimes justifiable. Yet on this week’s Moral Maze … Professor David Cesarani floated the idea of there being a Tiananmen Square-style massacre in Egypt as a way of quelling potential post-Mubarak anarchy. And there has been no outrage. No Twitterstorm, no blog-based apoplexy, no heated radio phone-ins. Perhaps talking about the massacre of Egyptians is normal these days.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100074767/the-egypt-protests-have-exposed-the-hypocrisy-of-mealy-mouthed-western-commentators/

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Psychopathic god February 11, 2011 at 6:26 pm

try this on for size:

I believe that deliberative change is generally more beneficial to the American people, than the widespread rioting and upheavals sweeping the Middle East. These anti-government riots may seem like a good thing because they are occurring in authoritarian countries, but no one seems to be asking, “What comes next?” For more than 30 years, America has supported Arab dictatorships and that support has cost America the support of the “Arab street.” Now that the “street” is rising up it is time to (quietly) double down on our support for friendly Arab regimes and not look at the protests through starry-eyed lenses.

The riots that began in Tunisia more than one month ago have now spread to Algeria, Egypt, Yemen, and points beyond. It seems that authoritarian governments cannot defeat the Twitter and Facebook powered masses of people yearning for freedom (or at least, for less corrupt and more responsive governance) in the Middle East. These riots present a very difficult dilemma for the United States. For centuries, the United States has advocated democratic government and bringing the “power to the people.” However, in each of these countries the United States might be better served by restoration of the status quo.”

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Surcouf February 11, 2011 at 12:04 pm

30 years of a stale and sclerotic regime now gone!!!!
What a sight on AJE and BBC World! People hugging and chanting, cars honking!
Beautiful!
Tunisia, one down!
Egypt, two down!
Where will the third one be! What about the Fatah-led PA now?!
The Arab world is finally breaking the chains of oppression.

They have shown so much resolve, stamina, dignity and humanity.
Can anyone claim that the people of Egypt are not ready for democracy.

This day will also be remembered as the day when Israel’s impunity ended.
It’s a new world now and the power is shifting away from the Zionist agenda.
Most beautiful day for fundamental rights for EVERYONE, including Palestinians.

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Surcouf February 11, 2011 at 12:11 pm

From The Guardian news feed: Mubarak picked an auspicious date to resign. On this day 32 years ago the Iranian revolution took place when the Shah’s forces were overwhelmed. And 21 years ago today Nelson Mandela was freed by the apartheid regime in South Africa.

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 2:31 pm

“Mubarak picked an auspicious date to resign…”

Apart from the historical rhyme, just look at this date:

11 0 22 0 11

Beautiful.

Looks like THE FORCE is with Egypt ;)

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 12:20 pm

I have a soft spot for Fatah. What could the Lakota do against the US Army? Was Crazy Horse wrong to bring his people to the Agency ?

The Palestinians are like the Lakota except there are millions and millions of Winnebago, Arapaho, Hopi, Apache, Navajo, Mohawk, Seneca, Mojave etc. int he form of Egyptians, Jordanians, Saudis etc coming riding over the horizon to save the day.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:32 pm

“So much resolve, stamina, dignity and humanity”.

And that is why it worked. Because doing the right thing is always the right thing to do. That is why the Army made the call it did. Because the people were right.
Which is why Israel is in serious trouble. There would no need for the hasbara if Israel played it straight.
This video is a hasbara nightmare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgw_zfLLvh8&sns=fb

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 12:16 pm

so it really sounds like Soiledman is out too. If the military is in control is he out?

Over at Huff Po. Follow that money
How The Mubarak Family Made Its Billions

“But over the last 20 years, Mubarak, his family and his close circle of advisers have enriched themselves through partnerships in powerful Egyptian companies, profiting from their political power, according to numerous reports. The 82-year-old leader and his two sons also wield the levers of the government, including the military and the country’s preeminent political party, to reward friends and punish enemies.

Mubarak — who enraged thousands of protesters by refusing to step down in a widely-watched speech to the nation on Thursday night — and his family have a net worth of at least $5 billion, analysts tell The Huffington Post. Recent media reports pegging the family fortune at between $40 and $70 billion are considered to be exaggerated.

Much of their fortune has reportedly been invested in offshore bank accounts in Europe and in upscale real estate. When questioned about Mubarak family bank accounts, which could be frozen under Swiss laws regulating ill-gotten gains, Swiss Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlump announced earlier this week that auditors are looking into whether the family has any such assets in the nation’s banks. Last month, the Swiss government froze the accounts of Mubarak’s ally, ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, whose overthrow inspired the first protests in Cairo.

The Mubarak family reportedly owns properties around the world, from London and Paris to New York and Beverly Hills. In addition to homes in the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh and the upscale Cairo district of Heliopolis, they also have a six-story mansion in the Knightsbridge section of London, a house near the Bois de Bologne in Paris and two yachts.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:32 pm

And 40% of Egyptians live on less than 2 bucks per day.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 12:16 pm

the live feed is out of this world!!!!

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 12:23 pm

El Baradei up. “will do what ever people want me to do”
Last night when he said “Egypt will explode” Hit it on the head. Who knew Egypt would explode with Joy and Pride! Celebrate

Annie Carter has a great piece up at Elders on “Credible elections”

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 12:26 pm

I really do think Obama was playing 11th dimensional chess

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Chaos4700 February 11, 2011 at 4:52 pm

Really? Then how come he moves every piece as if he were playing checkers?

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:36 pm

What is Obama going to say at the AIPAC conference?

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Donald February 11, 2011 at 6:06 pm

“I really do think Obama was playing 11th dimensional chess”

I don’t. I think they’ve been winging it the whole time. They supported Mubarak initially, then backed away when it was clear that you can’t treat a big place like Egypt the way one can the Palestinians. Too many people could see for themselves that the protestors were the good guys.

I think plan b was to install their pet torturer Sulieman and have Mubarkism without Mubarak. Plan C is probably to try and work with (i.e., bribe) the military to continue the same policies externally (especially with the Gaza Strip and the rest of the Palestinians) that were in place before. Egypt may need money and good will from us, or that’s probably what they’re thinking, and the military will probably not want to cut off the funds they’ve been getting from us.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Egypt may need money and good will from us, or that’s probably what they’re thinking, and the military will probably not want to cut off the funds they’ve been getting from us.

something tells me we need egypt right now a hella lot more than egypt needs us.

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Donald February 11, 2011 at 8:32 pm

“something tells me we need egypt right now a hella lot more than egypt needs us.”

That could be annie, but I don’t know. The Egyptian military has been part of the corrupt system for a long time. What I can guess is how our elites think and it’s not hard, since I’ve already seen Americans on TV assuming that a democratic Egypt will continue to cooperate with Israel in maintaining the Gaza blockade.

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 12:33 pm

‘Who coulda thunk all them terrorist moslem ayrabs protesting so peacefully for de-moc-racee eh?’

Shame-shame-shame on the dastardly american zionist media for overtly and covertly attempting to brainwash millions of decent Americans into believing their racist and prejudice world view of the Arab nations.

Today, Egypt punched that evil misinformation campaign of fifty years right in the solar fucking plexus.

Kapow!!

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annie February 11, 2011 at 12:37 pm

i’m watching AJ on democracy now, or what should be democracy now. 9415 dish tv

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annie February 11, 2011 at 12:34 pm

just heard Nour on AJ in the center of the crowd:

“The Heart of Egypt is Beating with Joy”

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 12:41 pm

She came out some years back on Washington Journal and joined the chorus (former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden unit Micheal Scheuer, Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, Kathleen and Bill Christison, Former President Jimmy Carter, Former weapons inspector Scott Ritter, Seymour Hersh etc in saying that the the lopsided way that the U.S. deals with the I/P conflict creates a great deal of anger and hatred towards the U.S. As well as our decades long support of brutal and corrupt dictators, and our military bases on their lands protecting our access to oil.
Queen Noor came out and joined that chorus

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annie February 11, 2011 at 12:51 pm

kathleen, i think it was ayman nour’s son unless it was nour himself. not a she! very good interview, he said he was right in the center of the crowd. they asked him if he was going to run for president.

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 1:14 pm

Sorry thought you were referencing Jordan’s queen

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 12:45 pm

They should have let Ayman Noor share the power. They lost it all inshallah.

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Walid February 11, 2011 at 12:51 pm

The King of Bahrain, peace be upon him, has just announced 1000 dinars ($2600) for every Bahraini family. Happy days are coming to the Middle East. Not exactly the “New Middle East” that Rice had in mind but still a welcomed one nonetheless. I wonder who is next up at bat.

Hamas now celebrating in Gaza and asking to have Rafah opened.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 12:56 pm

!!!!!! good news Walid!

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Walid February 11, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Bahrain with its large Shia population being dictated to by the Sunni minority is up there at the top of the list with Yemen, Algeria, Jordan and Saudia and subject to erupt at any time.

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Why is Kuwait always off the map

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annie February 11, 2011 at 4:23 pm

walid, in my recollection is the bahrain king encouraged the US to attack iran according to wikileaks.

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 1:02 pm

“I wonder who is next up at bat.”

I’d say the people in Saudi Arabia can expect some very generous gifts coming their way

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 1:17 pm

uh oh redistributing the wealth. Maybe it will catch a bit more in the U.S. too. Are corporate executives of the multinationals watching? We need to import the Egyptian protesters for Wall Street protest. Americans asleep, doped up, depressed.

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 1:54 pm

I’m convinced it will happen in the US sooner or later. Status quo is unsustainable.

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Citizen February 11, 2011 at 3:38 pm

Where are America’s young rebels, watching American Idol and working at McDonald’s for most, and joining Wall St to get in there alongside Chelsea Clinton’s hubby for the privileged?

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Todd February 11, 2011 at 4:35 pm

America is too divided politically, ideologically, ethnically and many other ways to have any real revolt. The military would have to save us from one another.

If Americans ever seriously turned on the elites, I don’t think it would be pretty. As paranoid and nasty as our current establishment is, I don’t doubt that they would turn violent. Who would stop them? The police? National guard? The Chinese?

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annie February 11, 2011 at 4:40 pm

I don’t doubt that they would turn violent.

i agree we’re a much more violent society than egypt but we can learn a lesson from egyptians if we have the will. instead we’ve become more militaristic, like israel.

we can change tho. but first we have to really see who we’ve become.

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 12:44 pm

Time is up for Israel’s continued expansion and building of illegal settlements. That is unless they decide to continue to undermine U.S. national security and their own by pushing for more foreign aid to protect their illegal activities

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 1:41 pm

It is going to be fun watching the settlers being taken out of “Hevron”.
Israel just lost the main cover it had for 32 years of YESHA expansion.
If Israel has to suddenly plan for a hostile Egypt the economy is going to go into one hell of a serious recession. Couldn’t happen to nicer people.

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Todd February 11, 2011 at 4:16 pm

I just hope we don’t accept them as refugees.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 4:21 pm

refugees? i’d wager at least 1/2 of the settlers in hebron already have american passports.

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Todd February 11, 2011 at 4:27 pm

That’s still only half. I see no reason to take the rest. Do you?

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Chaos4700 February 11, 2011 at 4:55 pm

Hey, the settlers did the sort of shit they did to Palestinians here, to African Americans or Hispanics or — gasp! — WASPs? They’d end up dead.

Let them come, I say. If the settlers want to behave that way over here, they’ll suffer the consequences of America’s (unfortunate) gun culture. I wouldn’t give them five minutes in an American inner city, when the worst they’re used to kicking around are stone-throwing teens.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:05 pm

I think a lot of the adult Hebron settlers will end up in secure institutions under very heavy sedation.

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 12:47 pm

NOW can we call it a frigging ‘REVOLUTION’, Mr. and Ms. Media?!

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:41 pm

I think it is an intifada. Intifada means “throwing off”.

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Potsherd2 February 11, 2011 at 5:53 pm

I’m glad that word didn’t find its way into the US media, though. To them, “intifada” just means “terrorism.”

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Surcouf February 11, 2011 at 1:49 pm

Taxi – Daniel Levy has a good article in the form a wake-up call for Israel in today’s Haaretz English edition.

According to his analysis Israel now has 3 options.
1) Dig in with Might is right favored by Netanyahu.
2) Return to the Peace process.
Neither will work – 1) will worsen Israel’s predicament and 2) is too little too late.
His third option is a road never traveled by Israel, and I don’t believe it has a chance in hell to succeed.
3 a) an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 armistice lines almost without preconditions or exceptions;
3 b) Israel should undertake an act of genuine acknowledgement of the dispossession and displacement visited on the Palestinian people;
3 c) a clear Israeli commitment to full equality for all of its citizens – full civil rights for the Palestinian Arab minority.

I’d like to be optimistic but I can’t see this third option being accepted by the Lieberman/Netanyahu government as this is going too far against the Zionist ideology.

Egypt unrest could improve Israel ties

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 3:30 pm

“I’d like to be optimistic but I can’t see this third option being accepted by the Lieberman/Netanyahu government as this is going too far against the Zionist ideology.”

Israel has nothing to gain from this government, which is doomed. Lieberman has one foot in jail already. Barak is finished and will go nowhere with his new BS party. Did you see the article in Haaretz about how many new members are flocking to Labor since Barak quit? Netanyahu and Livni have no credibility regarding peace with the Palestinians, or good relations with post-Mubarak Egypt.

Zionist ideology, like any other ideology, is no homogenous set of beliefs and policies, and subject to change or disappear.

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Citizen February 11, 2011 at 3:42 pm

Zionism is like Communism: it sounded great and worked out deplorably when meeting reality. OTOH, there really is no pure Capitalism either–a modifed socialistic captialism seems to work best on the actual ground…. ?

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 3:57 pm

Everything they knew as Israeli Jews about Arabs is wrong. And it is demonstrated by that sout al hurriyeh video.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 4:09 pm
seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:11 pm

MJ Rosenberg
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/201128131221271956.html

The bottom line: I am happy for the Egyptian people, but I am sad for Israel – not because it is genuinely threatened by this revolution but because Israel’s leaders seem determined to turn the revolution against them.
One can only hope that Israel and its lobby wake up. I hate always being proven right when it comes to Israel. I care about it too much.

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Jim Haygood February 11, 2011 at 1:05 pm

Headline on AJE: Hamas welcomes new Egyptian leadership; urges them to lift blockade on Gaza.

Busting Israel’s siege of Gaza will undermine the whole rotten structure of phony peace talks aimed at imposing surrender terms on the Palestinians at military gunpoint.

The road to Palestinian freedom runs through Rafah.

Free Tunisia; free Egypt; free Palestine.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:16 pm

If the siege falls it will be a massive , massive blow to Israel.
They lost their relationship with Turkey over it and for what ?

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Kathleen February 11, 2011 at 1:12 pm

Anyone else having problems with the Aljazeera feed? They must be on overload

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Walid February 11, 2011 at 1:31 pm

Huge celebration with fireworks outside Egyptian Embassy in Beirut and of course, calls to open the Rafah Crossing.

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Walid February 11, 2011 at 1:44 pm

It’s being reported that Switzerland froze Mubarak’s accounts.

Celebrations all over the West Bank and in Amman.

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Walid February 11, 2011 at 1:58 pm

Party time. Syria just blocked the Jazeera celebrations coverage.

Yemenii army breaking up celebrations among the people there.

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WeAreAllMadeOfStars February 11, 2011 at 3:33 pm

Walid and friends,

I’m in Europe at the moment and I can confirm the information …

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fuster February 11, 2011 at 1:58 pm

“Despite all the [West's] complicated and satanic designs … a new Middle East is emerging without the Zionist regime and U.S. interference, a place where the arrogant powers will have no place,” Ahmadinejad told the crowd.

He also urged Egyptian protesters to persevere until there is a regime change. “It’s your right to be free. It’s your right to exercise your will and sovereignty … and choose the type of government and the rulers.”

—————————————————————–

next up indeed.
be careful of what you so cynically wish for.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 2:10 pm

very few cynical voices here today fuster, people are happy. be specific, who are you referencing? todd?

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fuster February 11, 2011 at 2:25 pm

I was referring to the quite cynical words of Ahmadinejad in the quotation that I provided.

Other than that, it surely isn’t a day to be cynical. It’s rather a good day.

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Psychopathic god February 11, 2011 at 4:42 pm

what did you find cynical about Ahmadinejad’s comments, fuster?

has everybody forgotten so quickly that on the first days of the Egyptian people’s protests over a hundred of them were killed, and that they were attacked with American-made tear gas and this morning they were surrounded with American made tanks — that, as the Iranian video linked below shows and celebrates, the Egyptians manning those tanks chose to turn their guns AWAY from the people.

That was not American or zionist benevolence in action, it was Egyptian courage defying American and zionist power, influence, and cunning.

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eljay February 11, 2011 at 4:56 pm

>> what did you find cynical about Ahmadinejad’s comments, fuster?

>> M.A.: “Despite all the [West's] complicated and satanic designs … a new Middle East is emerging without the Zionist regime and U.S. interference, a place where the arrogant powers will have no place,” Ahmadinejad told the crowd.

I like this part.

>> M.A.: “It’s your right to be free. It’s your right to exercise your will and sovereignty … and choose the type of government and the rulers.”

This is a bit rich (unless he is implying that he supports the overthrow of the Iranian theocracy).

Cynical may not be the right word. “Ironic” does it for me. :-)

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Donald February 11, 2011 at 5:06 pm

Iran has a bad human rights record, so it is cynical for Ahmadinejad to praise demonstrators in one country when they are so badly treated in Iran. One can say this without supporting US or Israeli warmongering against Iran.

link

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Jim Haygood February 11, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Field Marshal Tantawi — TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!

————

Gaza City – Hundreds of Palestinians took the streets in the Gaza Strip on Friday to celebrate Egyptian president Hosny Mubarak’s resignation.

Cars drove through the streets honking their horns and Hamas militants fired their guns in the air.

‘This is the beginning of the victory of the Egyptian revolution and people,’ Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told reporters.

‘We support and back the great Egyptian people and their revolution. The new coming Egyptian leadership must help the Palestinians first to end the unfair siege and to reopen the only crossing (Rafah Crossing) for the Gaza Strip population now and forever,’ he added.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1618771.php/Palestinians-in-Gaza-celebrate-Mubarak-resignation

————

It’s hard to understate the significance of driving a stake through the heart of the US/Israeli siege of Gaza.

Egypt’s transitional regime will not want Gaza to become militarized with heavy weapons. This issue can easily be addressed with transparent border procedures.

Contrary to Zionist ‘Islamist fanatic’ propaganda, the objective of opening the Rafah crossing is not to arm Hamas and start another shooting war that no one wants. Rather, the purposes are humanitarian and economic: to end the siege; open the prison; allow free movement of goods and people — normal life, that is to say.

That opening Rafah would also leave US and Israeli strategy toward Palestine in utter shambles is merely a happy side effect. Gaza with a free border would enjoy more actual independence than the locked-down West Bank bantustan on offer in the peace talks, making a complete mockery of the exploitative surrender terms offered by the Quartet’s unctuous Uncle Toms.

First the Rafah wall goes, then Israel’s obscene apartheid wall.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 2:04 pm

driving a stake through the heart of the US/Israeli siege of Gaza.

let us pray for this. wouldn’t it be amazing if Gaza was free before the WB.

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fuster February 11, 2011 at 2:08 pm

wouldn’t it be amazing if Gaza was free before the WB.

yes, that would be quite amazing.

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lysias February 11, 2011 at 3:26 pm

The Palestine Authority suppressed West Bank demonstrations in support of the Egyptian protesters just a couple of days ago. I think their days are numbered.

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Antidote February 11, 2011 at 3:43 pm
seafoid February 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm

Too little, too late. Israel’s fate has been sealed by all of the individual small acts of daily cruelty since 1967. It is incredible to read the New York Review today and see how different the world was yesterday.

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Matthew Taylor February 11, 2011 at 2:42 pm

CONGRATULATIONS! To the Egyptian people… the Palestinians… Arabs everywhere…. YES. YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!

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syvanen February 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm

We do not yet know what really happened but it looks like Suleiman is gone also.

This was the best outcome possible. The Army, it seems, has turned against the state security agencies that were run personally by Mubarak and Suleiman. That split was essential from day one if this was going to turn out without even more casualties. But 300 martyrs folks, that is not a sign of a nonviolent uprising. What we are calling nonviolent is the fact that the people and army reached some kind of understanding that they were on the same side. This put the superior fire power of the Army against the smaller state security agencies — it just took a few weeks for the Army to finally realize what they had to do. The final transition was nonviolent but it was the threat of terrible violence that led this outcome.

Now is the time to educate the Army that they are really interim rulers.

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Donald February 11, 2011 at 2:58 pm

“But 300 martyrs folks, that is not a sign of a nonviolent uprising. What we are calling nonviolent is the fact that the people and army reached some kind of understanding that they were on the same side. This put the superior fire power of the Army against the smaller state security agencies — it just took a few weeks for the Army to finally realize what they had to do. The final transition was nonviolent but it was the threat of terrible violence that led this outcome.”

That’s a good point, unfortunately. I say unfortunately because it’d be nice to think nonviolence did this all on its own. The protestors were very brave. But the army’s role has been crucial so far.

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Avi February 11, 2011 at 4:08 pm

The final transition was nonviolent but it was the threat of terrible violence that led this outcome.

That’s not true. Your wording implies that the protesters threatened to use violence. That’s false and it smears the millions of Egyptians who participated in the largest act of civil disobedience since the civil rights movement in the US during the 1960s.

The only violence that was used, the only threats made, came from the Mubarak regime and the security apparatus. They initiated the violence and attacked the protesters.

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syvanen February 11, 2011 at 6:38 pm

Don’t be a pill Avi. It is clear what I said. There was a terrible threat of violence hanging over this whole uprising. In the first few days the pitched battles between the demonstrators and special police were not Gandhian tactics. It was not just provocateurs that burned down Party headquarters. Once the army showed up and restored order the threat of violence passed on to them. And it sounds like it was used to force the resignation of Mubarak and Suleiman.

I have tremendous admiration for the those people who stood up against the police in the first week — it is not a smear to recognize that they engaged in some serious street fights against incredible odds.

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Avi February 12, 2011 at 1:25 am

syvanen February 11, 2011 at 6:38 pm

Don’t be a pill Avi.

I wasn’t trying to be, nor did I have any intention of being so.

My emphasis stems from the simple fact that there are many historical revisionists out there who will seek to smear the predominantly non-violent nature of this revolution. I can think of a few, but off the top of my head AIPAC with its tentacles — CAMERA, MEMRI, ADL — comes to mind. There’s no need to give them ideas or ammunition. So, forgive me for making that important point. You seem to think I’m out to get you. Well, rest assured, I’m not.

it is not a smear to recognize that they engaged in some serious street fights against incredible odds.

If you think those were serious street fights, then you’ve obviously not seen the collapse of the former Soviet Union as events unfolded over a period of several months. “Gun battles” is an apt description for THAT revolution.

In addition, I believe you misunderstood Ghandi’s philosophy. As professor Finkelstein had stated in the past, Ghandi didn’t believe one should take a beating and continue to passively stand there. Sometimes violence — as Ghandi put it — was necessary in self-defense.

So, to spread the claim that “violence was hanging over this whole uprising” is a smear. And, quite frankly, I find your use of the term “uprising” to be questionable. You do the millions of good-natured, peaceful Egyptians a disservice by ignoring their resolve, courage and determination while you focus on the sideshow that was the regime’s use of violence. If “violence” is the first word that pops in your head after these 18 days of Woodstock, then there’s something rotten in the state of Denmark.

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Citizen February 11, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Today, 350 PM EST, on MSNBC, the departing Obama press spokesman, Gibbs, apparently on his way out of that slot, is telling us “It’s important Egypt maintain the peace accords with Egypt for Israel… This will be solved by the people of Egypt. The President has not talked to any heads of state today. We have wanted to see this outcome happen in an orderly way. I have to check with the Pentagon to see if they have contacted Egyptian officials. For all the talk about Egypt, the Iranian government should allow the Iranian people to exercise their rights as the Egyptians have now done. The Iranian regime is scared of the will of its people.”

Cf: “We started this Revolution w/o any outside help; we’ll finish the revolution w/o any outside help” – Egyptian response to Obama’s speech

It’s still all about Israel the Saint, and Iran, the Devil. The Egyptian people will have to confront the American regime.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 4:10 pm

The whole Israeli strategy is in bits. The morons spent 44 years building YESHA and treating the Palestinians like dirt instead of standing up for justice. I thought the ultimate was last week when they shut the border fearing a wave of refugees, the hypocrites.
And there won’t be any attack on Iran either with Egypt lost.

What are they going to talk about at AIPAC 2011 ?

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Chu February 11, 2011 at 5:13 pm

How to seduce republicans.

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Woody Tanaka February 11, 2011 at 5:18 pm

“What are they going to talk about at AIPAC 2011 ?”

The same piss-pants paranoia they talk about every year.

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Chu February 11, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Avi February 12, 2011 at 1:29 am

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

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annie February 11, 2011 at 3:56 pm

i love this song and video seham. what are the lyrics? is it a new song written for the revolution or adapted in the video? it’s beautiful.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 4:29 pm

“the most important thing is our rights” “our fate is our dreams”"the heroes speak my words” and the chorus is “on all the streets of my nation the voice of freedom is playing”

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annie February 11, 2011 at 4:35 pm

beautiful, thank you seafoid

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:51 pm

0.37 Tomorrow is clearly in front of us
.40 we have been waiting for so long

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 6:47 pm

Annie

Can you imagine what the line “in all of the streets in my country the sound of freedom is playing ” means to a people who have never had a free election in their history ?

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annie February 11, 2011 at 6:53 pm

i’ve watched this video at least 10 times seafoid. i want to sing along!

i can hardly imagine. i wish i was there. if i were egyptian today in liberation square i don’t know if i’d ever want to leave. it must feel out of this world.

the faces of the people are so beautiful and radiant. i’m swept w/egyptian fever. the era of egyptian freedom is upon us and the world will never be the same again. they are true freedom leaders. i bow down to their beauty and kiss their feet.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 7:03 pm

here is another song by amir eid

i will be getting one of his cd’s

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annie February 11, 2011 at 7:07 pm
seafoid February 11, 2011 at 8:05 pm

And they all look Egyptian between the whiter northerners and the dark nubians .

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annie February 11, 2011 at 8:08 pm

they are beautiful. i’ve been to egypt so i already know how gorgeous the people are but seeing people’s true spirit soar..it’s hard to top that.

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Surcouf February 11, 2011 at 7:11 pm

annie, seafoid – some beautiful pictures to be found at the Boston Globe – The Big Picture – Egypt: the wait.

Egypt: the wait

Enjoy!

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annie February 11, 2011 at 7:16 pm

THANK YOU, i am looking now…

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Chu February 11, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: (today)

“We must also urge the unequivocal rejection of any involvement by the Muslim Brotherhood and other extremists who may seek to exploit and hijack these events to gain power, oppress the Egyptian people, and do great harm to Egypt’s relationship with the United States, Israel, and other free nations,” Ros-Lehtinen said in a statement.”

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Chu February 11, 2011 at 4:29 pm

This Aipac prostitute is already barking orders to the clubhouse.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:09 pm

AIPAC urgently needs a new theme for its 2011 confab.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Israel is not a free nation, not while Gaza is under siege.

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Jim Haygood February 11, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Obama today: ‘While the sights and sounds that we heard were entirely Egyptian, we can’t help but hear the echoes of history: echoes from Germans tearing down a wall …’

… while you subsidize your Israeli client state to build a great honking wall? Dude, you seriously do not get it.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 6:18 pm

VR posted this video a while ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBcXRVw7u8k&feature=player_embedded

and Obama just read from the script of non violence. This is the Prez who has soldiers in Nevada controlling the firing of missiles from drones in Pak/Afghanistan.

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MRW February 11, 2011 at 4:30 pm

What a sweet people. 80 million people changed their country in less than three weeks. The Israelis could learn a lot.

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Surcouf February 11, 2011 at 4:34 pm

You’ve got to love the irony.

From Salon website:
Protesting against Bush’s violent means of spreading democracy, a loosely formed group organized the largest demonstrations in Egypt’s history around the March 20, 2003, invasion [of Iraq]. They eventually became known as Kefaya, meaning “Enough.” Adopting the mission to bring down Mubarak and restore power to the Egyptian people, Kefaya held regular protests that called for the end of the emergency law, more freedom for the Egyptian people, and better handling of the economy – essentially similar demands seen in Tahrir Square today.

Out of Kefaya grew the April 6 Youth Movement whose members and affiliates played an integral role in this year’s #Jan25 demonstrations.

This is a case when History comes back to bite you in the *ss! I guess the neocons and their right-wing Likudnik friends didn’t see this one coming.

Anatomy of a revolution

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Psychopathic god February 11, 2011 at 4:36 pm

how embarrassing to be an American.

Gibbs is holding a White HOuse press conf right now.

talked about Obama’s comments on Mubarak stepping down.

Gibbs quotes an IRGC leader, “We will crush any act of sedition.”
Gibbs says “Iran should let its people peacefully protest.”
Gibbs say, Iran is running scared; they are afraid this movement will spread thru the region.
Reporter: “Is there a hope that Egypt could inspire another uprising in Iran?
Gibbs: “If the govt of Iran was as confidennt as they put out — they’re not that confident, they’re scared — Iran has shut off all measure of communication. . . .”

Reporter [in the capital of the mostest mostest nation evah] “Are the images from Egypt SOMEHOW getting into Iran? Are Iranians aware of what’s going on in Egypt?”

Gibbs: “We’ve seen reports that people in Iran want to march. …. Iran regime has met the request with threats to kill them. speaks volumes of grip that govt of Iran has on its people.”

. . .
Gibbs: “It is remarkable to see what has happened over 18 days.”
Reporter:
Gibbs: “I don’t think we have to fear democracy. when the will of the people shape the hand of those who govern it . . .this is about egypt and their people.

Reporter: Is it fair to say this is going to change US policy in Middle East?

Gibbs: We don’t know the outcome of free and fair elections. we will continue to have relationships…our relationships that we DO have create peace and stability in the region…we will continue

reporter: re Iran: you keep repeating that Revolutionary guard quote — but you say you don’t want to look like you’re interfering.

Gibbs: govt of iran discussed what was happening in egypt. if that’s what they believe, they wouldn’t have any problem in allowing their people to protest.
what they really are scared of is exactly what might happen if Iranians demonstrated — they’re threatening them with death. strange reaction.
If govt’s and militaries are to protect their people, the Iranian regime is showing they are quite scared of their people.

reporter: any regrets that admin didn’t do more to support revolution in Iran?
gibbs: we supported universal rights; it’s up to govt of iran to allow that to happen. there’s diff degreees of development of different societies.

reporter: would you like to see what happened in cairo today happen in tehran?

gibbs: if the govt of iran didn’t fear its people it would allow them to protest.

reporter: would you go so far as to say you’d like to see the govt overthrown in tehran.

gibbs: i’ve addressed that in previous comments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYcZcH2I8dk

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annie February 11, 2011 at 4:43 pm

lol, of course! the ptb see another opportunity to demonize iran, why didn’t i think of that? thanks pg

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 5:03 pm

Yes but Israel hasn’t a hope of attacking Iran now. Egypt won’t be there to chivvy the rest of the Arabs along.

Israel has succeeeded in the impossible- it is down to only one ally in the Middle East. This is important because Israel is not in Southcarolina or Florida. Israel actually is a part of the Middle East, believe it or not.

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MRW February 11, 2011 at 5:21 pm

You’re right, seafroid. Now they risk theEgyptians hitting them from their rear flank if they should try nonsense.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 6:04 pm

Zvi Barel in la la land. He gets all his cues from the IDF.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/zvi-bar-el-egypt-s-army-must-now-continue-down-mubarak-s-path-1.342850
“In the absence of institutions which will define Egypt’s foreign policy at any point in the near future, the safest thing for the army is to continue on the path delineated by Mubarak.”

Suddenly despite all its weaponry Israel is just 5.5 million Jews with no friends within 500 miles.

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annie February 11, 2011 at 6:28 pm

safest thing for the army is to continue on the path delineated by Mubarak

isn’t that the same as the path delineated by…israel? good luck w/that. after 30 years of licking zionist boots i bet the army has loftier goals in mind.

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Chaos4700 February 11, 2011 at 5:00 pm

With his laser-like focus about making Iran the next stepping stone on the American war path, I imagine Gibbs is destined to join the Holy Grail of Washington lobbying. Heck, he may even jump ship before his boss loses re-election!

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Jim Haygood February 11, 2011 at 5:00 pm

Even as Egyptians celebrate their special day, the party-poopers at the New York ‘Voice of Jerusalem’ Times have sent in their stenographic heavies to dump chamber pots off balconies onto the revelers below. Here’s Ethan ‘My son serves in the IDF’ Bronner, laying on the lurid hyperbole in the lead sentence of an article about Egypt’s implications for Israel:

As the streets of Gaza exploded with celebration on Friday night with masked Hamas militants marching defiantly to cheer the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Israelis reacted with quiet and deep concern because the regional leader on whom they had relied most was suddenly gone.

Who the hell were they ‘defying’ — Israel?

If Gaza is anything like Egypt, plenty of young, educated Gazans are inspired by the events of Egypt. We know this for a fact, because of GYBO (Gaza Youth Breaks Out) and other essays by Gaza-based writers posted at Mondoweiss.

But in Ethan Bronner’s imaginary Gaza, conjured up from his keyboard in Jerusalem, such moderate, reasonable, reform-minded people don’t exist. No, there’s only wacko Islamic militants, firing their machine guns in the air, and tucking knives in their belts to slit the throats of any Jews they come across. Bronner pounds the point home yet again for his Shas party readers who move their lips when they read:

The marches in Gaza on Friday – a rare open display by armed uniformed militants on the streets — showed that the Egyptian policy toward Hamas would likely change and had, in fact, already loosened. The border has been breached repeatedly in the past couple of weeks by Hamas, which has brought back its militants from Egyptian prisons. Hamas officials are calling on Egypt to open up its border with Gaza completely.

Nothing but repetitions of the talismanic keywords ‘Hamas’ and ‘militant’ — it’s as if ordinary Palestinians with economic aspirations and democratic dreams don’t exist in Bronner’s condescending worldview, in which Arabs are either deracinated peasants or rabid killers. Did he even watch the coverage out of Egypt? Did he understand what he was seeing?

The NYT is such a ludicrous caricature of a newspaper, with its naked zionist agitprop, that it makes me yearn to hear more from authentic voices in Palestine, the next frontier for liberation. Gaza, marginalized for five years, may end up having a pivotal role in liberating Palestine, leaving the Quartet peace process as an abandoned and ridiculous sideshow. Al Jazeera probably has limited coverage of Gaza, which after all is a small and isolated place on a regional scale. But Mondoweiss can play a more influential role in opening a window to Gaza than the witless NYT, whose editorial guidelines evidently require the words ‘Hamas,’ ‘militant,’ rocket’ and ‘terrorism’ to appear at least a dozen times in any article about Gaza, so that NYT readers will be clued that Ethan’s talkin’ about shiftless Ay-rab terrorists here.

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MRW February 11, 2011 at 5:29 pm

Can hardly wait until the NYT is behind a paywall. You honestly think the 100 million Millennials scheduled to be of voting age in 2016 are going to buy the NYT?

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MRW February 11, 2011 at 5:30 pm

We just have to wait for the old white farts to die off, of course of which I am nearly one. Baby Boomer here, and none too proud of it.

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lysias February 11, 2011 at 7:29 pm

Once Egypt opens the border with Gaza, I imagine Al Jazeera will get into Gaza.

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DICKERSON3870 February 11, 2011 at 5:13 pm

RE: “Mubarak is out!”
MY COMMENT: Despite the best efforts of Israel and AIPAC!

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 6:38 pm

You mean their desperate and smacked-by-sudden-reality-and-staggering efforts?

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DICKERSON3870 February 11, 2011 at 7:24 pm

I think maybe I deserve all the credit for Murbarak finally resigning. You see, I slept all day. I slept right through the resignation. So Murbarak’s resignation joins a long list of historic events I have slept through. Is this just a coincidence?
I’m convinced that had I gotten out of the bed this morning, Murbarak would not have resigned today. Go figure.

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Taxi February 11, 2011 at 10:36 pm

Well thanks for the hex on Mubarak, Dickerson!

Say can we hire you to sleep thru the next mid east revolution?

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DICKERSON3870 February 11, 2011 at 10:26 pm

RE: “You mean their desperate and smacked-by-sudden-reality-and-staggering efforts?” – Taxi
FROM ALEXANDER COCKBURN, 02/11/11: “…On Thursday morning Mubarak probably told Suleiman and the US that he was going to quit, then forgot and, braced by a supportive call from the Israelis and a pledge by the Saudis to give him $1.4 billion if the US withheld it, announced that he would be around till September…” – http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn02112011.html
L.A. TIMES, 02/10/11: Los Angeles Times: …Israeli lawmaker Benjamin Ben-Eliezer — who spoke with the Egyptian president by phone on Thursday before his speech — described Mubarak as “different from what I heard on the news.”
“He sounded very strong and defiant,” Ben-Eliezer said. “He analyzed the situation properly and tried to predict the future of the Middle East.”… – http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/02/egypt-israeli-defense-minister-says-egypt-must-find-its-way.html
FROM PAUL WOODWARD, 02/11/11: “…America’s friends in Israel have been equally unenthusiastic about the turn of events. After Mubarak’s defiant speech on Thursday when he insisted he would sit out his term as president, “Israel breathed a sigh of relief,” according to Israeli commentator, Alex Fishman. The respite must have felt dreadfully brief…” – http://warincontext.org/2011/02/11/in-egypt-the-seeds-of-a-new-world-order-and-the-end-of-western-supremacy/

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yourstruly February 11, 2011 at 5:29 pm

long live the egyptian revolution

and it will

provided the children of the nile remain vigilant

and that they decide for themselves what freedom and independence means

not falling for whatever schemes empire trys to foist on them

such as democracy, american style

ending up, like the u. s. of a., with the best government that corporate money can buy

what instead?

a government that’s a match for the greatness of the egyptian people

with, say, a mechanism built-in so that the people can continuously monitor how it’s doing and for whom, and recall anyone who doesn’t measure up to their high standards

perhaps online

after all, a people who peacefully brought down a tyrant surely have the wherewithal to create a government that’s a match for their own greatness

ensuring, thereby, that the revolution lives on

power to the people

perpetually

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yourstruly February 11, 2011 at 5:53 pm

and to be ready for instant mass mobilization at the first sign that the military is selling out to the u.s. of a/israel nasty duo

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annie February 11, 2011 at 6:14 pm

very good post from angry arab. he says suleiman is gone.

The shock for Israel and US is double: not only is Mubarak gone, but so is Sulayman. The ouster of Sulayman ran against their scheme. I believe that Mubarak arranged for that (although the people insisted on it) to get back at the US. Leaving them to scramble. The good thing is that Minister of Defense Tantawi has the leadership skills of Joe (six pack) Biden. Stay tuned.

there’s more too i rec the link.

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seafoid February 11, 2011 at 6:58 pm

There won’t ever be another Cast Lead.

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Surcouf February 11, 2011 at 8:05 pm

No there won’t be!
Egypt has now returned to its Arabic roots and destiny after 30 yrs of neutered isolation. This new Egypt will act as true brothers and sisters to their Palestinian-kins.

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fuster February 11, 2011 at 8:48 pm

seafoid February 11, 2011 at 6:58 pm

There won’t ever be another Cast Lead.
—————

What do you think would happen if Iran starts sending longer -range rockets into Gaza, and one or two of them explode in Israel?

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eljay February 11, 2011 at 9:01 pm

>> seafoid: There won’t ever be another Cast Lead.
>> Surcouf: No there won’t be!

I certainly hope not, but never say ‘never’.

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Avi February 12, 2011 at 1:32 am

What do you think would happen if Iran starts sending longer -range rockets into Gaza, and one or two of them explode in Israel?

What do you think will happen if Israel continues the inhumane siege — going on close to 5 years now — and in the process continues to violate one ceasefire agreement after another?

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annie February 11, 2011 at 6:17 pm

Gaza tunnels
Please, please. Those who are entering through the Gaza tunnels, try to observe the newly-installed traffic lights to avoid traffic jams. We need to get organized.

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MRW February 11, 2011 at 7:52 pm

Don’t you love far-sighted American analysis and thinking?

A diplomatic wire released by WikiLeaks shows that American officials thought little of the Facebook uprising. It reads: “April 6′s stated goal of replacing the current regime with a parliamentary democracy prior to the 2011 presidential elections is highly unrealistic, and is not supported by the mainstream opposition.”

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dbroncos February 11, 2011 at 8:58 pm

Hail Egypt! Your new freedom shines like the sun!

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yourstruly February 11, 2011 at 9:10 pm

what this miracle on the nile tells us

to get it done

change the world, that is

peacefully is the way to go*

erge, the need for us to switch from confrontation to inspiration in the way we carry out the struggle

thoughts will be brought forth

like “maybe, just maybe”

then, out of the blue – “hey, no reason why not,

count me in”

*self-defense aside

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yourstruly February 11, 2011 at 10:26 pm

what if?

united and mobilized as the children of the nile now are

that in the matter of deciding egypt’s position in regard to the israel/palestine conflict

that the egyptian people be the deciders

rather than the people being stuck with egypt’s pre-revolution position on this issue, at least until election-time, and who knows when that’ll be?

something which might give empire’s agent provacateurs additional time to try to jam the revolution

to little or no avail, being that once the world gets the egyptian people’s take on the I/P conflict, its causes and cures, good outcomes are sure to follow

such that egyptians will not only have retaken the dawn

they’ll be en route to whatever lies beyond

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Avi February 12, 2011 at 3:08 am

The song lyrics in that YouTube video moved me, so I thought I would translate some:

Stepped outside and said, “I’m not turning back”
And wrote with my blood in every street.

We made our voices heard to those who haven’t listened
And all the barriers were shattered.

Our weapon was our dreams
And we can see tomorrow clearly.

We have been waiting for long
We search, unable to find our place

Chorus: {From every street in my country,
{ The voice of freedom is calling…….

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seafoid February 12, 2011 at 8:52 am

Avi

It is all translated if you select the CC button on the youtube video.

What a song. It is up there with Waseem Wagdi as one of the videos of the Intifada.

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Avi February 12, 2011 at 3:29 pm

Ha. I didn’t know that. Thanks.

The song reminds me of the songs that were sung in 1989, 1991. The world was changing then and it’s changing now again. It’s always inspiring to see the human spirit prevail, to see millions of human beings demanding the most basic of rights, dignity and freedom. It gives me hope that the human race is not headed for a sorry demise.

Echos of Woodstock and the 1960s: http://vimeo.com/14983409 (Video starts at 12 seconds)

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