Mubarak Resigns.

Egypt celebrates as Mubarak resigns Hundreds of thousands celebrate as Egyptian president hands over power to the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces. Last Modified: 11 Feb 2011 22:11 GMT Middle East Read More Live blog Feb 12 - Egypt protests 11-2-11 Timeline: Egypt unrest Egypt's military leadership US indecision on Egypt Bye bye Mubarak!

Suleiman: Mubarak waives office  Omar Suleiman, Egypt's vice-president, announces Hosni Mubarak has resigned and handed power to army.

Live blog Feb 12 - Egypt protests From our headquarters in Doha, we keep you updated on all things Egypt, with reporting from our reporters on the ground.

World reacts as Mubarak steps down Global leaders hail "historic change" and "victory" in Egypt, but Obama warns of difficult days ahead. Last Modified: 11 Feb 2011 20:22 GMT

Jubilation in Tahrir at resignation Crowds in central Cairo reacted with celebration to Omar Suleiman's announcement of Hosni Mubarak's resignation. Last Modified: 11 Feb 2011 19:43 GMT

What next for Egypt? Analysts, politicians and pro-democracy campaigners outline how they see the future of Egypt developing post-Mubarak. Last Modified: 11 Feb 2011 19:01 GMT

Egypt's military leadership Brief profiles of members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces as it assumes power from Hosni Mubarak. Last Modified: 11 Feb 2011 17:53 GMT

Profile: Hosni Mubarak The former Egyptian president had ruled over the country since 1981, but resigned in February 2011 after mass uprising. Last Modified: 11 Feb 2011 20:14 GMT

Key Figures In Egypt's Ruling Party Have Stepped Down.

BREAKING NEWS

6:08pm UK, Saturday February 05, 2011

'Top Figures In Egypt's Ruling Party Resign'

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Stuart Ramsay, in Cairo, and Gary Mitchell

Key figures in Egypt's ruling party have stepped down, according to state television, as protesters continue to demand the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Al Arabiya television retracted an initial report that Mr Mubarak had also quit as leader of the party.

But the party's secretary-general Safwat el-Sharif and Gamal Mubarak, Mr Mubarak's son, are said to have quit in a shake-up seen as a gesture to anti-government campaigners.

For 12 days they have been taking part in demonstrations in Cairo and other cities demanding that the embattled president resigns.

Protesters hurl rocks in Cairo on 'Departure Day' during minor street clashes

The 82-year-old, who has been in power for 30 years, has ignored calls to give up the presidency and has previously insisted he intends to serve out the remaining seven months of his term.

The popular uprising turned ugly earlier this week with violent street clashes between anti-government demonstrators and pro-Mubarak groups.

Earlier, state television reported opposition leaders were meeting with vice-president Omar Suleiman to discuss various proposals that would end in the leader's departure.

One option being considered by top officials would see Mr Mubarak remaining in office purely as a figurehead, with real power draining to the vice-presidency.

The latest development may be a sign that steps towards such a compromise are being taken behind closed doors - but it is questionable how much weight it might carry with protesters.

Many of those gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square have told Sky News they will only be happy if Mr Mubarak gives up his leadership completely.

Friday's "day of departure" saw more than 100,000 demonstrators gathering peacefully in the area.

The military have been appealing for protesters to leave the area by Sunday and have put up barricades to prevent others from joining in.

Army chiefs, who have been tolerant of the protests of recent days, are thought to be keen for some form of normality to return to the capital after banks and shops were forced to close for days.

The upheaval of recent days is estimated to have cost hundreds of millions of pounds and state TV reported Mr Mubarak had held talks with key members of his cabinet about how to revive the economy.

Exports from Egypt fell 6% in January due to the unrest, the government has said.

Britons continue to flee the country, with a second Foreign Office-chartered flight taking off today from Cairo to London's Gatwick Airport with up to 165 passengers on board.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Middle East leaders to embrace democratic reforms in response to growing unrest in the region.

She told an international security conference in Munich that there was a "perfect storm" which made democratic change a "strategic necessity".

US president Barack Obama has called for a "transition period that begins now".

Frank Wisner, Mr Obama's special envoy for Egypt, has told the conference in Munich that Mr Mubarak must stay in power for the time being to steer the political transition.

Dominic Asquith, British Ambassador to Cairo, said time must be given for talks between opposing groups.

He told Sky News: "To get this orderly transition, you will need to yield space for the dialogue that is going on, and you need to be able give the space also to what the president himself, President Mubarak, has been saying about the legitimate demands of the protesters, about new steps for democracy, the peaceful transfer of power."

:: Some 1,000 people gathered for a march to the Egyptian embassy in London on Saturday in a show of solidarity to the protesters.

read more here...http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Egypt-Hosni-Mubarak-Stands-Firm-After-Day-Of-Departure-Protests-As-Britons-Head-Home-From-Cairo/Article/201102115923449

An Egypt Gas Pipeline Has Been Attacked!

Middle East

Egypt gas pipeline attacked

Unknown attackers blow up North Sinai pipeline that supplies gas to Jordan. Last Modified: 05 Feb 2011 09:28 GMT Email Article Print Article Share Article Send Feedback

Unknown attackers have blown up a pipeline that runs through El-Arish area of Egypt's north Sinai area and supplies gas to Jordan and Israel, according to Egypt's state television. The Jordanian route that runs from El- Arish to Aqaba and then up to Amman has been damaged by Saturday's explosion.  But it has been reported that the gas pipeline running to Ashkelon in Israel has not been affected. The explosive material was placed inside or adjacent to the control station of the gas supply line. There were no immediate reports of any casualties as a result of the blast. "Saboteurs took advantage of the security situation and blew up the gas pipeline," a state television correspondent reported, saying there was a big explosion. State TV quoted an official as saying that the "situation is very dangerous and explosions were continuing from one spot to another" along the pipeline. "It is a big terrorist operation", a state TV reporter said. The security presence in the Sinai province is very light. Residents in the area also reported a huge explosion and said flames were raging in the area. According to a security source, the Egyptian army closed the main source of the gas supply to the pipeline. "The armed forces and the authorities managed to close the main the source of flow and are trying to control the fires," the source said. Governor of Sinai has confirmed to Al Jazeera that the fire that resulted from the explosion of the gas supply line has been controlled and that the infrastructiure at the gas terminal has not been severely damaged. Al Jazeera's corrspondent reported from Egypt that, "We do not know yet who was behind the explosion as no group has claimed responsibility." According to Al Jazeera's sources, eye witnesses are being interviewed by authorities and the investigation is focusing on some bedouin tribes of Northern Sinai. Bedouin tribesmen of the Sinai Peninsula attempted to blow up the pipeline last July as tensions intensified between them and the Egyptian government, which they accuse of discrimination and of ignoring their plight. "They do not enjoy the wealth that the state generates from the Sinai peninsula, the money has not benefitted the communities there," our correspondent added. Anti-government protests in Egypt have now entered their 12th day and despite the protesters' demands that President Hosni Mubarak must leave office immediately, he says that if he does indeed step down then the country will descend into chaos, increasing security concerns. "The issue of security is often used in Egyptian politics but many Egyptians say that the tensions inside Egypt have been because of the government itself. "Bedouins, arms trade and drug trafficking are some of the internal issues that the central government in Cairo has failed to deal with," our correspondent said. The gas supplies from Egypt account for 40 per cent of Israel's gas imports. And although the gas supply route to Israel has not been affected by this explosion, yet Israeli authorities remain concerned as the events have been unfolding in Egypt over the last few days. Al Jazeera's correspondent, Tony Birtley reported from Jerusalem that "Israelis have been very jittery for the last 10 days, if a government comes into power in Egypt that is not sympathetic to Israel then it will present security issues for Israel. "Israel is realising that their good friend (Mubarak) is on his way out, and they are not sure who is on the way in." Our correspondent, Nisreen El-Shamayleh, reported from Amman that the Jordanian ministry of energy officials are in touch with the Egyptian government to find out whether pipelines carrying gas to Jordan have been affected. The ministry will not release any details until an official response is received from Egypt. A former official in the dismissed Jordanian government told Al Jazeera that "This is what we were afraid of (with regards to unrest in Egypt affecting Jordan). "Gas prices will now go up, after Jordanian government announced its commitment to bear the brunt of any increases in fuel derivatives till March to reduce economic hardships following massive protests here," the former official said. Ghaleb Al Maabreh, the head of Jordan's national electricity company told Al Jazeera that  Egypt stopped pumping gas to Jordan following the explosion and not before. He said that the Egyptians will repair the pipes in less than a week and that the situation is "manageable". http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/20112572657906674.html

Protesters In Egypt...Watch Live

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Opposition says President Mubarak has sent in thugs to break up protests. More soon...

Middle East

Protesters flood Egypt streets

At least a million gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square as mass protests against President Mubarak are staged across country. Last Modified: 01 Feb 2011 11:44 GMT Email Article Print Article Share Article Send Feedback

About 1,000,000 people have gathered for the planned "march of a million" in the Egyptian capital, calling for Hosni Mubarak, the embattled Egyptian president, to step down. Meanwhile, one of Egypt's oldest parties, Wafd, announced on Tuesday that a number of opposition groups have agreed to form "a national front" to deal with the volatile situation there. In a statement, Wafd said that president Mubarak "has lost legitimacy". Also on Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood, an officially banned but tolerated movement, said it will not negotiate with president Mubarak or his government. Earlier, some opposition parties have called for Mubarak to delegate responsibilities to newly appointed vice-president Omar Suleiman, who they are prepared to negotiate with. Throngs protest Thousands of demonstrators began gathering from early on Tuesday morning in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has been the focal point of protests in the capital and served as the meeting area for the march to begin on the eighth day of an uprising that has so far claimed more than 125 lives. Another protest in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria attracted tens of thousands of protesters, as national train services were cancelled in an apparent bid to stymie protests. Protests were also reported in the city of Suez. Protest organisers have also called for an indefinite strike to be observed across the country. Our producer in Egypt reports on the latest developments Soldiers at Tahrir Square have formed a human chain around protesters, and are checking people as they enter for weapons. Tanks have been positioned near the square, and officers have been checking identity papers. The army has also blocked all major roads in the city, and tens of thousands of protesters are being held at the Kasr al-Nile bridge. They were on their way to the main protest at Tahrir Square. 'Gaining momentum' Al Jazeera correspondents have described a "festival-like" and "communal" atmosphere at the protest, with protesters from all walks of life represented. "It is peaceful, people power that has united here in the heart of Egypt's historic square," reported one correspondent. An Al Jazeera correspondent in Cairo said that there were reports that "thugs in certain parts of the city have been trying to stop people from driving into Cairo". She said that "increasingly large pockets of pro-government protests" are also taking place at various locations in the city. There are fears that if the two sets of protesters meet, a violent clash could erupt. Gigi Ibrahim, a political activist who planned to attend the rally, told Al Jazeera the protesters will not be satisfied until Mubarak steps down. "I think today there will be great numbers on the street ... every day there are more numbers on the street than the day before. I think the protests are gaining momentum. The people ... will literally not leave until Mubarak steps down," she said.   In pictures: 'Day of Anger'   Update: Egypt protests   Unrest in social media   Debate: First Tunisia, now Egypt?   Can Egyptians revolt?   Egypt’s protests on Twitter   Pictures: Anger in Egypt In an attempt to discourage people from the protests, Egyptian state television has asked people to stay at home, warning of possible violence. An Al Jazeera online producer in Cairo said that if today's protest does not go as planned, similar protests could be planned for Friday. Protests are also taking place in the cities of Mansoura, Damnhour, Arish, Tanta and El-Mahalla El-Kubra. The new protests come as the police have returned to the streets. But while the police's posture to be adopted in the face of the strike and marches remains unknown, the Egyptian army stated clearly on Monday that it would not stop protests Faced with the prospect of massive numbers trying to converge on the capital, Egyptian authorities stopped all train traffic with immediate effect on Monday afternoon, and the state-owned national carrier EgyptAir said it was cancelling all international and domestic flights during curfew hours (3.00pm to 8.00am local time). More Here... http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011215827193882.html

Watch The Revolution Here

TV NEWS NOW

Al Jazeera English: Live Stream

Watch the broadcast here. Last Modified: 28 Jan 2011 17:08 GMT Email Article Print Article Share Article Send Feedback

Visit our special Anger in Egypt coverage page. Follow AJE tweets about the protests from the field. View a gallery of photos from the past four days of protests. Read a timeline of the past four days of demonstrations. View a map of the 'day of wrath' throughout Egypt.

Protesters flood Egypt Streets, Watch CoverageHere

Middle East

Protesters flood Egypt streets

At least a million gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square as mass protests against President Mubarak are staged across country. Last Modified: 01 Feb 2011 11:44 GMT Email Article Print Article Share Article Send Feedback

About 1,000,000 people have gathered for the planned "march of a million" in the Egyptian capital, calling for Hosni Mubarak, the embattled Egyptian president, to step down. Meanwhile, one of Egypt's oldest parties, Wafd, announced on Tuesday that a number of opposition groups have agreed to form "a national front" to deal with the volatile situation there. In a statement, Wafd said that president Mubarak "has lost legitimacy". Also on Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood, an officially banned but tolerated movement, said it will not negotiate with president Mubarak or his government. Earlier, some opposition parties have called for Mubarak to delegate responsibilities to newly appointed vice-president Omar Suleiman, who they are prepared to negotiate with. Throngs protest Thousands of demonstrators began gathering from early on Tuesday morning in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has been the focal point of protests in the capital and served as the meeting area for the march to begin on the eighth day of an uprising that has so far claimed more than 125 lives. Another protest in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria attracted tens of thousands of protesters, as national train services were cancelled in an apparent bid to stymie protests. Protests were also reported in the city of Suez. Protest organisers have also called for an indefinite strike to be observed across the country. Our producer in Egypt reports on the latest developments Soldiers at Tahrir Square have formed a human chain around protesters, and are checking people as they enter for weapons. Tanks have been positioned near the square, and officers have been checking identity papers. The army has also blocked all major roads in the city, and tens of thousands of protesters are being held at the Kasr al-Nile bridge. They were on their way to the main protest at Tahrir Square. 'Gaining momentum' Al Jazeera correspondents have described a "festival-like" and "communal" atmosphere at the protest, with protesters from all walks of life represented. "It is peaceful, people power that has united here in the heart of Egypt's historic square," reported one correspondent. An Al Jazeera correspondent in Cairo said that there were reports that "thugs in certain parts of the city have been trying to stop people from driving into Cairo". She said that "increasingly large pockets of pro-government protests" are also taking place at various locations in the city. There are fears that if the two sets of protesters meet, a violent clash could erupt. Gigi Ibrahim, a political activist who planned to attend the rally, told Al Jazeera the protesters will not be satisfied until Mubarak steps down. "I think today there will be great numbers on the street ... every day there are more numbers on the street than the day before. I think the protests are gaining momentum. The people ... will literally not leave until Mubarak steps down," she said.   In pictures: 'Day of Anger'   Update: Egypt protests   Unrest in social media   Debate: First Tunisia, now Egypt?   Can Egyptians revolt?   Egypt’s protests on Twitter   Pictures: Anger in Egypt In an attempt to discourage people from the protests, Egyptian state television has asked people to stay at home, warning of possible violence. An Al Jazeera online producer in Cairo said that if today's protest does not go as planned, similar protests could be planned for Friday. Protests are also taking place in the cities of Mansoura, Damnhour, Arish, Tanta and El-Mahalla El-Kubra. The new protests come as the police have returned to the streets. But while the police's posture to be adopted in the face of the strike and marches remains unknown, the Egyptian army stated clearly on Monday that it would not stop protests Faced with the prospect of massive numbers trying to converge on the capital, Egyptian authorities stopped all train traffic with immediate effect on Monday afternoon, and the state-owned national carrier EgyptAir said it was cancelling all international and domestic flights during curfew hours (3.00pm to 8.00am local time). Army promise In a statement on Monday, the army said "freedom of expression" was guaranteed to all citizens using peaceful means. "To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people," stress that "they have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people," said the statement. It was the first such explicit confirmation by the army that it would not fire at demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Egypt and comes a day before Tuesday's "march of millions". Our producer in Egypt reports on the latest developments in Tahrir Square It urged people not to resort to acts of sabotage that violate security and destroy public and private property. It warned that it would not allow outlaws to loot, attack and "terrorise citizens". The call for the "million-man-march" from the so-called April 6 movement has come as Mubarak swore in a new cabinet on Monday, in an attempt to defuse ongoing demonstrations across the country. Panic and chaos On Tuesday, even as Egypt continued to face economic turmoil as a result of protests, the International Monetary Fund said it was ready to put in a place an economic rebuilding policy for the country. "The IMF is ready to help in defining the kind of economic policy that could be put in place," IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said. Meanwhile, chaos has been reported at Cairo's international airport, where thousands of foreigners are attempting to be evacuated by their home countries. Our correspondent reported on Tuesday that about 1,000 US citizens have been evacuated to Cyprus or Turkey, from where they are expected to make their own way home. She also said that China is sending two additional planes to evacuate its citizens.

Coverage of Egyptian Protests

Chocolate and Coke Stopping Production In Egypt? Do we predict Global Rioting?!

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• Dispatch

  Real-time updates and new takes on important news stories
  
  • JANUARY 31, 2011, 1:58 PM ET

  
  

  Coke, Nestle Report Egypt Shutdowns

  By Joann S. Lublin

Coca-Cola Co. closed its Cairo office starting Sunday. The office “will not reopen until security in the city improves,’’ said Kenth Kaerhoeg, a spokesman for the big beverage business in Atlanta.  “The safety of our employees is our primary concern and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure everyone’s safety.”  

Mr. Kaerhoeg declined to offer any details about possible evacuations or the exact number of Coke staffers in Egypt.  An Egyptian bottler operating as its local franchisee owns eight bottling plants there.

Egyptian operations of food giant Nestle SA “have been temporarily interrupted due to ongoing political unrest across the country,’’ said Nina Backes, a spokeswoman for the owner of brands such as KitKat, Gerber baby food and Nescafe coffee.  “The company is currently evacuating the families of around 20 expatriates,’’ she added.

Ms. Backes said its three Egyptian factories “have temporarily been shut down.’’  She declined to say how family members are being evacuated – nor whether Nestle might also evacuate expatriates.  “We continue to monitor the situation closely,’’ she added.

Nestle’s Egypt unit has three factories  and 3,000 employees.  It began factory operations there in 1988.  Nestle, based in Vevey, Switzerland,  is the world’s largest food company by sales.

Unrest in Egypt also is affecting U.S. companies without permanent offices there. An Occidental Petroleum Corp. spokesman said ten professionals on a temporary Egyptian assignment cut short their stay and left Cairo Sunday on chartered aircraft arranged by the company without difficulty. “They left sooner than anticipated,’’ he continued.    

He declined to disclose why the Oxy Pete staffers went to Egypt several weeks ago.  “There was no definitive time frame” for their abbreviated business trip, the spokesman said.

read more at http://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2011/01/31/coke-nestle-report-egypt-shutdowns/

Necessities Running Out In Egypt

Food staples starting to run out in Egypt

By Salma Abdelaziz, CNN

January 31, 2011 5:57 a.m. EST

The unrest has paralyzed daily life in Egypt with many grocers closing shop and spotty food shipments.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Many grocers have closed
• Food shipments are spotty
• Many families afraid to go out to shop

(CNN) -- While discontent, resentment and nationalism continue to fuel demonstrations, one vital staple is in short supply: food.

Many families in Egypt are fast running out of staples such as bread, beans and rice and are often unable or unwilling to shop for groceries.

"Everything is running out. I have three children, and I only have enough to feed them for maybe two more days. After that I do not know what we will do." school administrator Gamalat Gadalla told CNN.

The unrest has paralyzed daily life in Egypt with many grocers closing shop and spotty food shipments.

Money worries over Suez Canal

RELATED TOPICS

• Egypt
• Hosni Mubarak

"With the curfew, there are no restaurants, food or gas. Basic goods will soon be in shortage," Sandmonkey, an Egyptian blogger said via Twitter.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has ordered a curfew in Egypt to be extended from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Monday, further stifling normal life in the embattled nation.

Egyptian state-run Nile TV has set up a hotline for citizens to call in and report bread shortages. There has been no other indication of what the Egyptian government is doing to address the crisis.

read more at http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/30/egypt.protests.food/index.html?hpt=C1