Egypt: Army intervenes, Mubarak forced to step down
by quill Friday, Feb 11 2011, 9:09pm
international /
social/political /
commentary
A wave of euphoria swept through Cairo’s symbolic Tahrir Square after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was forced to resign and hand over power to the military. However, the joy and euphoria of the moment may be short-lived if the PEOPLE do not remain VIGILANT and INSIST on REFORM and REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT – we should never forget the old adage, particularly in the current situation, “a change of leaders is the joy of fools!”
A social revolution is PROCESS, an ongoing movement FOR POSITIVE CHANGE and ANY relaxation or compromise of aims or objectives invites the wolves to feast on the newborn of the revolution and return the old status quo with a change of face only.
It is hoped the ARAB WORLD is aware of the behind the scenes machinations of America and its efforts to maintain the status quo and only change the figurehead while it makes much in the media of REAL change and reform.
THE WORLD remembers, all too well, Obama’s FRAUDULENT use of the word ‘change’ before his election victory and the subsequent sell-out of the American public. If that is the level of 'integrity' shown at home what hope another nation that ALLOWS even an iota of American influence?
This view is entirely realistic, pragmatic and NOT cynical in the least; if analysts and commentators would care to observe the true barometer/indicator of these social events, the Market, particularly the responses of Wall Street and the ‘City’ of London, valuable perspective may be gained!
Indeed, the ARAB WORLD now stands at the THRESHOLD of REAL change; any lapse in DETERMINATION would see another aborted social revolution. The FINAL outcome depends ENTIRELY on the Egyptian/ARAB people and their REAL representatives -- it may also be time to check the ‘credentials’ and question those who pretend (Mohammed El Baradei) to represent the people while maintaining the status quo.
Another strong indicator of external influence is of course the reaction/action of the Corporate controlled media. ‘Beat-ups’ and excessive emotive reporting must be viewed critically. The hype of the following mass media report is typical:
Mubarak downfall sparks jubilation
(UKPA) – Celebrations have erupted across Egypt after Hosni Mubarak resigned as president and handed control to the military following 18 days of pro-democracy demonstrations.
Several hundred thousand protesters who had gathered in Cairo's central Tahrir Square exploded into joy, waving Egyptian flags.
The crowd outside Mr Mubarak's presidential palace chanted: "The people ousted the president!"
Car horns and celebratory shots in the air were heard around the city of 18 million after Vice President Omar Suleiman made the announcement on national TV just after nightfall.
Ecstatic protesters hoisted soldiers onto their shoulders and families posed for pictures in front of tanks in streets flooded with residents streaming out to celebrate. Strangers hugged strangers, some fell to kiss the ground, and others stood stunned in disbelief. Chants of "Hold your heads high, you're Egyptian" roared with each burst of fireworks overhead.
"I'm 21 years old and this is the first time in my life I feel free," said an ebullient Abdul-Rahman Ayyash, born eight years after Mr Mubarak came to power.
Mr Mubarak had sought to cling to power, handing some of his powers to Mr Suleiman while keeping his title, but an explosion of protests on Friday rejecting the move appeared to have pushed the military into forcing him out completely.
"In these grave circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave his position as president of the republic," said a solemn Mr Suleiman. "He has mandated the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the state. God is our protector and succour."
The military, which effectively carried out a coup on behalf of the protesters, announced on state television that is was committed to shepherding demands for greater democracy and that it would announce the next steps soon, possibly including the dissolving of parliament and creation of a transitional government to lead reforms.
Nobel Peace prize winner Mohammed ElBaradei, whose young supporters were among the organisers of the protest movement, said: "This is the greatest day of my life. The country has been liberated after decades of repression."
© 2011 The Press Association.