(Update to first post: Seems there is confusion to what President Hosni Mubarik actually did today. Some say he has succeeded power to the Vice President. Does not seem that the protesters heard this in the speech)
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarik waited until about one hour before midnight to announce his unwillingness to succeed to the wishes of protesters.
President Mubarik is not resigning.
Currently there is great anger among protesters as earlier in the day reports seemed to suggest that Mubarik was finally stepping down from power. No one can predict what will happen next as today’s announcement has increased the anger of protesters, and heightened the general mood that change will not occur unless President Mubarik is forced to resign.
About thirty minutes after Mubarik finished his speech, Egypt’s Vice President Omar Suleiman urged the people to go home, go back to work and accept President Mubarik’s process of transition. These words are not likely to be accepted by the disenchanted crowds.
It appears that Friday will be one of the biggest days of protest in Egypt’s recorded history. The response of the military, police, and state run media will be a strong determining factor in the outcome of tonight and tomorrow’s protests.
We shall hope and pray for the best as Egypt contends for its national identity.
Douglas Bursch is the author of Posting Peace: Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do About It. He also hosts The Fairly Spiritual Show podcast.