something's about to happen in Egypt

[headfairy]

the army have gone in to Tahrir Sq to say there will be a big announcement soon.

Unconfirmed reports Mubarak will stand down.

Everyone heading back to Tahrir Square - I hope the crowd stays safe in such a crush (checkpoints and barricades all opened).

Thats brilliant Pussin I am so happy for everyone who achieved this.

It is one of those days about which history pivots.

Cameron to make a statement about this shortly, one from Obama expected at about 18.30.

Can those of you who know Egypt well confirm what I've just heard a pundit say: that the military have been seeking the removal of the Mubarak dynasty for a couple of years already. If so, what is the thinking on what sort of replacement regime would they have been likely to support before the protests? Is that a still a possibility now?

I agree with others who have praised the Egyptian people - power to them. Look what they have achieved with (largely ) peaceful, sustained protest. They deserve a better, more fair and truthful system of government.

What worries me is now that Mubarak has gone, is the army in power? I think they are, at least for now. Does this pave the way for coups d'etats? I hope to God Egypt soes not go the same way as Pakistan after the toppling of Musharraf.

Yes, power has been handed to the Army Council, and some commentators have already said that this is in effect a coup.

Just seen this elsewhere:

"Update: ElBaradei has said he won't run for president. In the meantime, the Egyptian military has announced it will sack the cabinet.

Omar Suleiman has just announced that Mubarak has stepped down. And with Al Arabiya reporting that Omar Suleiman has also stepped down, this means that the military is now in charge."

From the BBC website:

The military high command is headed by Defence Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.

US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks described Mr Tantawi as "aged and change-resistant", but committed to avoiding another war with Israel.

I think it is wonderfull that the protesters were mainly peacefull, good on them, and I hope that the people who have been hurt in the many different ways you can be, can find some peace in their hurt in the fact that they are now a free country.

I was just watching bbc news, and I really would love to know how the women do that thing with the tounge, they make a loud noise and swing the tounge side to side really quickly!!!

"something's about to happen in Egypt" OP

No shit!

Thanks for that, A1980, but there is a lot to play out yet. Having the country run by an old Mubarak crony is not necessarily an indicator that it has become a free democracy.

eh A1908 after more than 2 weeks of a stalemate I meant something else. Like dur!