"Egypt is free!": Nation celebrates as Mubarak resigns

"Egypt is free!": Nation celebrates as Mubarak resigns

2011-02-12 00:04:15 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned from the presidency on Friday after weeks of massive anti-government protests, the country's vice president said, an announcement hailed by millions around the country.

The unexpected announcement came just over 12 hours after Mubarak addressed the nation and announced he would transfer "some" powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman. It was met with outrage by protesters who had been expecting him to resign.

"Amid these grave circumstances which the country is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to resign as president of the republic," Suleiman said in a brief statement on Friday. "He has ordered the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the country."

Immediately after the announcement, celebrations broke out in Cairo, Alexandria, and other cities across the nation and in the region. In Cairo, tens of thousands of people chanted "Egypt is free!" Fireworks was seen in Beirut and thousands of Palestinians celebrated in the Gaza Strip after hearing the news.

The resignation of Mubarak is seen as a historic change in Egypt and the Middle East, and ends his 30-year rule.

Meanwhile, the White House said U.S. President Barack Obama would address the nation about Mubarak's resignation at 1.30 p.m. Eastern time. Immediately after, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs will also comment on Egypt.

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