Egypt's powerful military said they have started taking "necessary measures to protect the nation" and support the "legitimate demands" of the people, amid reports that embattled President Hosni Mubarak may step down soon and transfer power to his deputy Omar Suleiman.
Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman was recently the target of an assassination attempt, in which two of his bodyguards were killed.A senior Obama administration official confirmed that the attack happened soon after Suleiman was appointed on January 29. The official described it as an organised attack on Suleiman's motorcade.Suleiman may take over as interim leader of Egypt in some of the proposals reportedly being considered for an expedited political transition.
Newly-named Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman and his top military commanders were discussing plans to limit President Hosni Mubarak's decision-making authority and possibly remove him from the presidential palace.
Embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is likely to step down immediately and turn over power to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman, backed by the army.
"In a long run, the revolution in Egypt is good for India too," said a senior official of government while talking to rediff.com. Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman has declared that "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."
As Israel's longstanding partner in peace, Hosni Mubarak slipped into history in the face of eighteen days of intense protests by his countrymen, Israelis hoped that the new regime in Cairo would continue to respect the 31-year-old peace deal between the two sides.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak rejected a German offer of a medical treatment, which media reports said was one of the options being considered for an honourable departure for the Arab leader after more than three decades in power.
Anti-government unrest appeared to be spreading in Egypt as an obdurate President Hosni Mubarak continued to cling to power even after days of a relentless 'Go Mubarak' campaign and the protesters attempted to storm the country's Parliament on Wednesday in their latest bid to oust a hated regime.
With the streets of Cairo turning bloody, Egypt's new vice president appealed to the protesters on Wednesday to end their nine-day demonstration and go home to let a political dialogue for the future begin. Central Cairo was a scene of chaos as violent clashes broke out between pro and anti-government demonstrators, and over 400 persons were injured. Omar Suleiman, former intelligence chief and now the vice president, called on protesters to respect the curfew.
Having staved off the protestors for seventeen days, embattled Egyptian President stepped down on Friday evening. Vice-president Omar Suleiman made the announcement on state television.
United States President Barack Obama has asked Egypt to explain in "clear" and "unambiguous" language the "step by step" process that will lead to democracy in the country, after its President Hosni Mubarak on Friday refused to step down from power.
President Hosni Mubarak is now "de jure head of the state" as he has transferred all his powers to his Vice President Omar Suleiman who is now the "de facto head of state", Egyptian ambassador to the United States has said.
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