Breaking: Mubarak resigns, Armed Forces Supreme Council ascends; Ahmadinejad exults, Biden self-deludes

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 11, 2011 11:07 AM

Egyptian Vice President Suleiman just made the announcement.

A military council will now assume power.

A victory for democracy?

More to come…

Newsflash: Leon Panetta’s scanning cable tee-vee and Twitter trending topics for intel. Announcement on Mubarak’s resignation pending.

Via AP:

Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak resigned as president and handed control to the military on Friday, bowing down after a historic 18-day wave of pro-democracy demonstrations by hundreds of thousands.

A massive crowd in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square exploded into joy, waving Egyptian flags, and car horns and celebratory shots in the air were heard around the city of 18 million in joy after Vice President Omar Suleiman made the announcement on national TV just after nightfall.

“In these grave circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave his position as president of the republic,” a grim-looking Suleiman said. “He has mandated the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the state. God is our protector and succor.”

White House just announced: Obama will be in front of a TV camera at 1:30pm ET before Robert Gibbs’ final press briefing to address Egypt.

CIA announces: Panetta will be watching.

/sarc

***

Update 11:45am ET Gag alert.

This is from Politico’s Mike Allen on Twitter:

TOP DEM. OFFICIAL: “situation remains…delicate…but..this is a huge affirmation of the President’s leadership on the international stage”

More Democrat self-back-patting here.

***

Meanwhile in Iran: Ahmadinejad calls for Mideast without Israel and US

Former Israeli ambassador Dan Gillerman: “This country cannot afford to fall into the hands of extremism.” Hopes military can maintain moderation. Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood “would be an existential threat” to Israel and the entire region. Voices concern over the prospect of mullahs in Iran, Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and MB in Egypt.

***

A sober take from Ellis Goldberg at Foreign Affairs:

The Mubarak regime as it has existed for the last decade — an increasingly corrupt and incompetent government that has conferred immense economic advantages on a handful of politically connected businessmen — has been shattered. A more open political system and a responsive government that ensures its own safety by trimming back the power and privileges of the military could still emerge. And the army may step in as a transitional power and recognize that, as much as it might like to, it cannot return to complete control. The Egyptian military is far more professional and educated than it was in the 1950s, so many officers may recognize the benefits of a democracy. More likely, however, is the culmination of the slow-motion coup and the return of the somewhat austere military authoritarianism of decades past.

***

Update 1:03pm Eastern – White House has delayed Obama’s statement.

Biden, on the other hand, dove head first into the pool of self-delusion:

Vice President Joe Biden said today is a “historic day for the people of Egypt” that will go down as a “pivotal moment” in history.

“This is a pivotal moment in history…not only in Middle East history,” Biden said.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he will step aside, after 18 days of protests have rocked the United States’ ally in the Middle East. Mubarak has been in power for nearly 30 years.

Biden, speaking about an hour before President Obama addresses the nation, said he was pleased that the United States has largely spoken with “one voice” about the need for a peaceful and orderly transition in Egypt.

“This unity has been important and it will be even more important in these delicate and fateful days ahead,” he said.

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Posted in: Islam,Politics

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Comments


  1. #101
    On February 11th, 2011 at 3:20 pm, ThackerAgency said:

    This event still isn’t important to America and it won’t change our lives at all.

    If he was such a horrible tyrant, why haven’t there been benefit concerts like for Darfur and the Sudan? Speaking of which. . . if we are toppling tyrants, aren’t there a few more in Africa needing addressing?

    What did Mubarak do that was bad? Steal money? psst. . . Congress feels entitled to spend 1.5T each year more than they have.

  2. #102
    On February 11th, 2011 at 3:28 pm, chapoutier said:

    If he was such a horrible tyrant, why haven’t there been benefit concerts like for Darfur and the Sudan?

    I can’t speak as to why there were no concerts, but this guy was a tyrant, did do some pretty horrible things to his people, though maybe not on the level of Darfur or Rwanda or any other dozen African or ME countries.

  3. #103
    On February 11th, 2011 at 3:36 pm, mattymatt10 said:

    Meh. I didn’t care when it started, and I don’t care now.

    This is about as interesting as the Chilean miners.

  4. #104
    On February 11th, 2011 at 3:40 pm, Mister P said:

    I can’t speak as to why there were no concerts, but this guy was a tyrant, did do some pretty horrible things to his people, though maybe not on the level of Darfur or Rwanda or any other dozen African or ME countries.

    No doubt he was, and he also kept Egypt in peace for 30 years. I see little crying for Mubarak, just concern what may may come down the road.

  5. #105
    On February 11th, 2011 at 3:51 pm, stillontheroad said:

    The Kansas House has passed the Health Care Freedom Amendment (HCR 5007) on a vote of 91 to 27. Some good news, little by little.

  6. #106
    On February 11th, 2011 at 4:09 pm, babbledabble said:

    Well now that Obummer is taking credit for this – who’s he going to blame when the fit hits the shan?
    Bush? Rush? Hannity? Cheney? Haliburton? Palin?

  7. #107
    On February 11th, 2011 at 4:15 pm, Regulus said:

    On February 11th, 2011 at 3:20 pm, ThackerAgency said:

    This event still isn’t important to America and it won’t change our lives at all.

    Sure it will.

    When the “Bros” sweep away whatever attempted governance there is post-Mubarak like Lenin disposed of the Kerensky government after the Czar’s abdication, then abrogate the Camp David Accords and together with Iran, Lebanon and Syria – and maybe even Jordan – declare war on Israel, shutting down the Suez Canal in the process and even triggering a regional nuclear conflict, it’s hard to see how we could not be affected.

    Whether we would do anything about it is an open question, particularly with this administration which has already made it plain that it is no friend of Israel; but that we would be affected by it is a little doubt.

    What with this development, plus The Coming Ice Age Global Warming Climate Change Climate Chaos™, plus the magnetic poles switching places, and “2012″ right around the corner while the guy everybody thought was the chocolate-covered Second Coming resembles the anti-Christ more and more, we’re doomed, doomed I tell ya!

  8. #108
    On February 11th, 2011 at 4:31 pm, chapoutier said:

    Ahhh…it all makes sense now.

  9. #109
    On February 11th, 2011 at 4:32 pm, KCK said:

    Obama said that the army (in Egypt) did a good job of protecting the state. Good for them.

    Here, the army protects the constitution. I wonder if anyone remembers that? Man, it sucks to have this guy as our president.

  10. #110
    On February 11th, 2011 at 4:35 pm, granite said:

    On February 11th, 2011 at 2:44 pm, TooMuchTime said:

    In Egypt, all we’ve seen so far is the storming of the Bastille.

    Yeah. And that didn’t turn out too well for Louis and Marie,…

    …nor for Europe (Napoleonic wars);

    …nor for the world/civilization.

    The French Revolution, which was not a good thing, with the inauguration of its Reign of Terror, was arguably when the “opposite worldview” burst upon, and made an impact on, “the world stage”.

  11. #111
    On February 11th, 2011 at 4:36 pm, cicerokid said:

    The Mubarak regime as it has existed for the last decade — an increasingly corrupt and incompetent government that has conferred immense economic advantages on a handful of politically connected businessmen

  12. #112
    On February 11th, 2011 at 4:42 pm, KCK said:

    I see the army in Egypt suspended the P/VP and both houses of parliament.

  13. #113
    On February 11th, 2011 at 5:07 pm, tarpon said:

    Obama is becoming Jimmy Carter faster than Jimmy Carter became Jimmy Carter. Yowzer.

    6 months until Sharia runs Egypt and starts blowing up the monuments.

  14. #114
    On February 11th, 2011 at 5:08 pm, AmericaFirst said:

    Obama will dump a ton of HUSH MONEY and FOOD on Egypt to keep the Muslim Brotherhood silent until he leaves office. I don’t know how Egypt will feed its 83 million people under Islamic rule. No incentive to produce and not enough fertile soil to sustain them. Egypt imports 40 percent of its total foodstuffs and 60 percent of its wheat. The Republicans should cut off all aid if the Muslim Brotherhood take over or are a major part of the government. They cannot have enough food or access to food to last more than 3-4 weeks. I don’t see the Egyptian military allowing any hard line Muslim group to take power. We hold their purse strings.

    Tourism is officially dead. Maybe Michelle “Marie Antoinette” Obama can fly out to a five star luxury hotel in the Red Sea to proclaim Egypt safe, like she did long after the Gulf of Mexico spill. Lord knows that moocher needs another half a million dollar tax payer subsidized vacation after working off all that booty fat from her Let’s Move Mooch campaign.

  15. #115
    On February 11th, 2011 at 7:10 pm, swmntman said:

    Aloha said:…DNI Clapper: “Leon – what’s happening man?”

    Panetta: “Woodchucks really chuck wood! Oh dammit, that’s a commercial, I’ll get back to you!”

    Ah, man — you’re killing me, Aloha… killing me.

  16. #116
    On February 11th, 2011 at 7:50 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Ah, man — you’re killing me, Aloha… killing me.

    Thanks…

    Film smuggled out by the CIA.

    (probably not work safe)

  17. #117
    On February 11th, 2011 at 7:58 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    this guy was a tyrant, did do some pretty horrible things

    Video just in (not work safe if your boss speaks French…)

  18. #118
    On February 11th, 2011 at 7:59 pm, happyscrapper said:

    MamaBama in a Burka? Maybe then she would shut up.

    “Honey, does this burka make my ass look fat?”

  19. #119
    On February 11th, 2011 at 9:47 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    So, wanna bet Obambi and Lunch Bucket Joe are watching Fox for all their breaking intel?

    I hope the people of Egypt want what they got…

  20. #120
    On February 11th, 2011 at 10:18 pm, Blackstone said:

    Vice President Joe Biden said today is a “historic day for the people of Egypt”

    Gad, what a putz.

  21. #121
    On February 11th, 2011 at 10:37 pm, Republicanvet said:

    On February 11th, 2011 at 3:17 pm, stillontheroad said:

    I just read that our Fearless Leader learned of Mubarak stepping down by watching TV. You would think our once halfway decent intelligence Community would have briefed him in the Puppet Bunker. This is such a joke.

    It is. Republicans should hold hearings on cutting their budgets and replacing a horde of bureaucrats with cable TV.

  22. #122
    On February 11th, 2011 at 11:00 pm, John Deaux said:

    Panetta might have known about this a little sooner if he wasn’t watching a documentary about seven castaways who survived on a deserted island after getting blown off course during a three hour tour.

  23. #123
    On February 11th, 2011 at 11:28 pm, swede said:

    John Deaux said:

    Panetta may be an undercover leprechaun. Full of blarney and all.

  24. #124
    On February 12th, 2011 at 8:14 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    On February 11th, 2011 at 7:59 pm, happyscrapper said:

    MamaBama in a Burka? Maybe then she would shut up.

    “Honey, does this burka make my ass look fat?”

    Honest Abe he ain’t–I think that’s why they invented the Burka!

  25. #125
    On February 12th, 2011 at 9:42 am, MrOlympia said:

    All that remains to be seen is what Dictator or Dictatorial regime replaces the Dictator.

  26. #126
    On February 12th, 2011 at 12:05 pm, Virginia Patriot said:

    Now that Mubarak is gone, how llong before we get rid of Newbarack?

  27. #127
    On February 12th, 2011 at 12:06 pm, right_on said:

    The purging will commence in….

    The Islamic world is filled with powerful ideologues, many of whom have been scrambling to get a piece of the sandbox.

    Moderates, if any, will have a higher risk of assassination, than will Islamic extremists who worm their way into positions where life and death decisions are made.

    And….they will have the “Blessings of Allah“, and the mulahs.

  28. #128
    On February 12th, 2011 at 1:52 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I just hope Panetta is watching the news at the Plame’s.

  29. #129
    On February 13th, 2011 at 3:34 pm, spaceycakes said:

    Doug Powers–turnaround is fair play! You have no idea how many times I’ve nearly snorted out my adenoids at your comments.

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