VP: Mubarak stands down, military to take over in Egypt

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After weeks of protests in Egypt calling for resignation of president Hosni Mubarak, protesters are said to have reacted in “jubilation” on news from Egypt’s VP that Mubarak has fled the country and stepped down from his position. The news came via a statement on Egyptian state TV, via USA Today:

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators erupted in jubilation in Tahrir Square as vice president Omar Suleiman announces that President Mubarak has resigned… Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has resigned[,] Vice President Omar Suleiman said in a brief televised statement. His statement in full: “Hosni Mubarak has waived the office of presidency and told the army to run the affairs of the country.”

The resignation officially was announced at around 11am EST. The Financial Times reported further information from the announcement:

In a statement read out on state television on Friday, the military said it would lift a 30-year state of emergency “according to the situation”, but gave no time frame. The army said it would guarantee changes to the constitution as well as a free and fair election, and it called for normal business activity to resume.

Mohamed ElBaradei, leader of the opposition, commented:

“This is the greatest day of my life. The country has been liberated.”