ALERT: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigns

According to the Egyptian Vice President, Mubarak stepped down from power today

By Adam Clark Estes

Published February 11, 2011 4:12PM (EST)

Anti-government protesters wave an Egyptian flag during a march in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's powerful military backed President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office until September elections, but massive crowds outraged by his refusal to step down packed squares in Egypt's two biggest cities Cairo and Alexandria on Friday. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (AP)
Anti-government protesters wave an Egyptian flag during a march in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt's powerful military backed President Hosni Mubarak's plan to stay in office until September elections, but massive crowds outraged by his refusal to step down packed squares in Egypt's two biggest cities Cairo and Alexandria on Friday. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (AP)

Hosni Mubarak ended his thirty year reign over Egypt today. In the words of Vice President Omar Suleiman:

Mubarak has resigned. He has delegated the responsibility of running the country to the Supreme Military Council

Cheers erupted in Cairo's Tahrir Square as the nearly three weeks of protests culminate in Mubarak's ouster. Popular dissenter and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei said:

This is the greatest day of my life. The country has been liberated after decades of repression.

Al Jazeera is live streaming this breaking news event here.


By Adam Clark Estes

Adam Clark Estes blogs the news for Salon. Email him at ace@salon.com and follow him on Twitter @adamclarkestes

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