Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as president of Egypt.
In an announcement on state TV, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said Mr Mubarak had handed power to the military.
It came as thousands massed in Cairo and other Egyptian cities for an 18th day of protest to demand Mr Mubarak's resignation.
Protesters responded by cheering, waving flags, embracing and sounding car horns. "The people have brought down the regime," they chanted.
Mr Suleiman said Mr Mubarak had handed power to the high command of the armed forces.
"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," he said.
"May God help everybody."
Mr Mubarak has already left Cairo and is in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where he has a residence, officials say.
In Cairo, thousands of people are gathered outside the presidential palace, in Tahrir Square and at state TV.
They came out in anger following an address by Mr Mubarak on Thursday. He had been expected to announce his resignation but instead stopped short of stepping down, transferring most powers to Mr Suleiman.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo said the announcement caught everyone by surprise, and all over the city drivers honked their horns and people fired guns into the air.
But the army takeover looks very much like a military coup, our correspondent adds.
The constitution has been breached, he says, because officially it should be the speaker of parliament who takes over, not the army leadership.
Posted: at 12-02-2011 10:39 AM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero
divineproject at 12-02-2011 11:15 AM (14 years ago) (f)
hmmm......the voice of the people have spoken........this is what happens when the people are united with one voice.......can this ever happen in Nigeria if the government decides to turn deaf ears to people's desires?....I just hope we are not pushed to go the Egyptian way.....
A LITTLE HELP HERE; A LITTLE HELP THERE, MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND!
Posted: at 12-02-2011 11:15 AM (14 years ago) | Hero
divineproject at 12-02-2011 11:57 AM (14 years ago) (f)
Quote from: teeco on 12-02-2011 11:33 AM
Quote from: divineproject on 12-02-2011 11:20 AM
to bad rubbish................
wat are you talking about
we can go to any extend to end PDP government in Naija
Is it the party that matters or the individuals that are (s)elected?.......do you want to end PDP government in Nigeria out of sentiments (becos its presidential candidate is not a Northerner) or becos you think the party has failed or you have no confidence in their candidates?.....which one?.....be honest!
A LITTLE HELP HERE; A LITTLE HELP THERE, MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND!
Posted: at 12-02-2011 11:57 AM (14 years ago) | Hero
we can go to any extend to end PDP government in Naija
Is it the party that matters or the individuals that are (s)elected?.......do you want to end PDP government in Nigeria out of sentiments (becos its presidential candidate is not a Northerner) or becos you think the party has failed or you have no confidence in their candidates?.....which one?.....be honest!
Freesmile at 12-02-2011 12:21 PM (14 years ago) (m)
Quote from: teeco on 12-02-2011 11:48 AM
Quote from: Freesmile on 12-02-2011 11:39 AM
This is a very bad news to Africa and Arab nation. :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
how do you mean?
don't you no that President mubarak has defiled the Arab community just to protect Christians and the Israel nation on keep the peace treaty. He is the only one that make sure Egypt is not a muslim nation but a free nation to all religion and tribe. Watch out for chaos with his removal. Besides i don't think is the voice of the people that make him step down, i think their is a military coup involve that is why he never gave a speech before leaving!
Posted: at 12-02-2011 12:21 PM (14 years ago) | Upcoming
divineproject at 12-02-2011 12:27 PM (14 years ago) (f)
Quote from: teeco on 12-02-2011 12:16 PM
Quote from: divineproject on 12-02-2011 11:57 AM
Quote from: teeco on 12-02-2011 11:33 AM
Quote from: divineproject on 12-02-2011 11:20 AM
to bad rubbish................
wat are you talking about
we can go to any extend to end PDP government in Naija
Is it the party that matters or the individuals that are (s)elected?.......do you want to end PDP government in Nigeria out of sentiments (becos its presidential candidate is not a Northerner) or becos you think the party has failed or you have no confidence in their candidates?.....which one?.....be honest!
thank for all this statements
I asked questions mister Teeco, I didnt make statements, I need answers........and dont you dare shy away from the answers.....or are you running simply becos you know you cant be honest in the answers without shooting yourself in the leg?........come answer dem jor......afterall most of the North have PDP governors........
A LITTLE HELP HERE; A LITTLE HELP THERE, MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND!
Posted: at 12-02-2011 12:27 PM (14 years ago) | Hero
Mubarak stepping down is in the interest of his people. It is good that he listens and do as his people said. How come you rule the entire country for about thirty (30) years of age in the current democratic system/civilisation? I hope one day Nigerian leaders could listen to their people and succumb to their demands.....
IN ZAKA FADI, FADI GASKIYA, KOMAI TA JA MA A YI MAKA
Posted: at 12-02-2011 02:30 PM (14 years ago) | Hero
we can go to any extend to end PDP government in Naija
Is it the party that matters or the individuals that are (s)elected?.......do you want to end PDP government in Nigeria out of sentiments (becos its presidential candidate is not a Northerner) or becos you think the party has failed or you have no confidence in their candidates?.....which one?.....be honest!
thank for all this statements
I asked questions mister Teeco, I didnt make statements, I need answers........and dont you dare shy away from the answers.....or are you running simply becos you know you cant be honest in the answers without shooting yourself in the leg?........come answer dem jor......afterall most of the North have PDP governors........