PRESIDENT MUBARAK RESIGNS

Friday, February 11, 2011:

At about 6:06 pm Cairo time, an official statement by Vice President Omar Suleiman is made saying that President Mubarak resigns. Here is the translation, provided by the BBC news service:



"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."

Crowds erupted with jubilant excitement throughout the country.  Though a very uncertain future awaits Egyptians, with enormous optimism they feel at this moment a very precious freedom after 18 difficult and trying days of demonstrations.