[Haremporblape]

LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,3774670.story

President Hosni Mubarak is set to address Egypt in the next hours after an Egyptian army general spoke to the thousands of anti-Mubarak protesters gathered in Tahrir Square in Cairo, telling them that their demands would be met.

It was unclear exactly what was unfolding, but demonstrators have said for the last 17 days that they would not give up their protest until Mubarak leaves office. The president has refused to step down despite increasing pressure from within his ruling party and from Washington and other Western powers.

Citing unnamed U.S. officials, CNN reported that Mubarak was preparing to step down after 30 years in power and that recently appointed Vice President Omar Suleiman would take his place.

[DurryVony]

Al Jazera Engligh seems to be doing the most solid reporting on all of this: http://www.youtube.com/user/aljazeeraenglish

We need them added to the basic cable menu in the US.

[Nundduedola]

Mubarak did not announce he was stepping down as expected. Protesters in Tahrir Square erupted in anger, tearing down the monitors in the Square that aired the speech. V.P. Suleiman told the "youth" to "go back to your homes, go back to your jobs" and to stop listening to satellite stations. Another large protest is expected tomorrow after prayers.

[LICraig]

The Egyptian ambassador has been making the news channel circuit, saying that while the speech may have clouded the specifics, Mubarak supposedly handed over all day to day powers to the VP, but has not conceded to an actual resignation.

The reaction among the crowds is that he's defying and delaying the inevitable. They're angry. The strikes and protests will likely increase until the country becomes so unstable that something major needs to take place. And that will likely be the case until a plane or boat carries him outside the border in exile.

[melissa]

Word on late newscasts tonight is that the US was notified of two things this morning:
-- The military would be stepping in to take charge of the protest situation. Military leaders went into the crowds and told them their demands would be met.
-- Mubarak was said to be preparing his resignation speech.

At some point during the day, Mubarak is said to have changed direction and Mubarak ended up delivering the speech we heard, saying he would not step down but that many day to day powers would be transferred to the VP.

But what stands as fact even after the speech is that the military has signalled that they will guide the protests to their logical conclusion, which is the removal of Mubarak. It remains to be seen whether today's events accomplish much of that or not.

[herrdwq]

The military has assured protesters, "we'll guarantee that change happens.. Trust us." This according to a tweet posted by NBC's Richard Engle in Cairo.

Richard, I think the consensus is that Mubarak just changed his mind. Analysts I've been listening to say although even close advisors pushed Mubarak to let go, he just cannot seem to do it. He wants to die on Egyptian soil with his titles intact. My only comment is be careful what you wish for.

[Texdolley]

Sounds official now... Does Mubarak think he's Billy Martin?