Egypt is collapsing!

[American Patriot]

Situation in Egypt: Information for U.S. Citizens Currently in Egypt

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February 9, 2011
U.S. citizens in Egypt who require assistance, or those who are concerned that their U.S. citizen loved one in Egypt may require assistance, should contact the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo at:
EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada
1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the United States and Canada

• Egypt - Travel Warning
• FAQs for U.S. Citizens
• More Messages from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo
• Warden Message 11 – Flight Information Update: February 5, 2011

[American Patriot]

State Department to Americans in Egypt: Get out now


Posted By Josh Rogin Monday, February 7, 2011 - 12:24 PM Share


Despite what appears to be greater calm on the streets in Egypt over the weekend, the State Department sent out a new Travel Warning on Sunday, Feb. 6, that instructs all American citizens to leave Egypt now.



The new, stronger alert replaces a previous Travel Warning from Feb. 1 that called for the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families. The State Department had been chartering planes to help evacuate American citizens from Cairo, but those flights have now stopped. Nevertheless, the new Travel Warning calls for all citizens to leave Egypt, noting the potential for more violence in the offing.



"U.S. citizens should consider leaving Egypt as soon as they can safely do so, due to ongoing political and social unrest," the Travel Warning stated.



"Large-scale demonstrations with the potential for violence continue in several areas of the country, and there are periodic overland travel disruptions."



The international airport in Cairo is open and has availability on outgoing flights, the State Department said, adding that travelers can also leave Egypt from airports in Luxor, Alexandria, and Aswan.


"Do not wait for a reply from the embassy or the Department of State before traveling to the nearest airport; further delay is not advised," the warning stated.



The State Department is also calling on U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations and to not go near Tahrir Square, for fear that foreigners could again become targets of violence.



Travelers are still encouraged to register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://travelregistration.state.gov. If you are in Egypt and have an emergency, you can contact the embassy at EmergencyEgyptUSC@state.gov or at 1-202-501-4444 during business hours and after hours at 2797-3300.

[Ryan Ruck]

Got to disagree with you Peterle. If you are faced with a mob that is trying to hurt you, the gas pedal is your friend. Reginald Denny had a large truck like yours during the 1992 L.A. Riots. He stopped and this is what happened:

[BRVoice]

http://www.debka.com/article/20646/


Egypt's economy close to meltdown. Strikes shut down whole sectors
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report February 9, 2011, 11:17 PM (GMT+02:00)

The biggest Arab country with a population of 82 million is on the verge of breakdown as large sections of is economic machinery are shut down by spreading strikes and workers' revolts against managements appointed by the Mubarak regime and Vice President Omar's Suleiman's leadership.

debkafile's sources report there are no trains since railway workers declared a general strike; the main state highways are barricaded by protesters.

Egypt's 1,000-kilometer long Cairo-Aswan lifeline along the Nile was shut to traffic all day Wednesday, Feb. 9 with no sign that the army or security forces are willing or able to reopen it to traffic.

As protesters continue to pour into Cairo's Tahrir Square, blocked roads are preventing produce reaching shops and markets – or even the soldiers posted in the town centers. Men of the 2nd and 9th divisions on street duty in Cairo have had no food rations for 12 hours. The disruptions threaten Egyptian towns with dire food shortages.

The work forces of the big industrial complexes have downed tools and customs officers have stopped levying toll fees from the approximately 50 ships transiting the Suez Canal every day and netting the Egyptian treasury $3 billion a year, its main source of revenue. Around 1.300,000 foreign tourists have fled the country since the disorders began taking with them another major source of revenue.

The closure of schools was extended Wednesday after teachers refused to go back to classrooms until Mubarak was gone.

Egypt's foreign minister Abul Gheit said that the only way to save Egypt is for the army to step in. He rejected US demands for an immediate repeal of emergency law and accused Washington of trying to impose its will on Cairo and its advice was "unhelpful."

A high-ranking US source in Washington told debkafile's sources that the situation in Egypt is so appalling that a military takeover of the regime is no longer a threat but the only hope of rescuing Egypt from economic meltdown. Yet at this critical moment, he said, "the Egyptian army appears to have no figure capable of saving Egypt."

Tuesday, Feb. 8, debkafile reported:

A fresh surge of popular anti-Mubarak protest ripping across Egypt Tuesday, Feb. 8 has brought the country closer to a military coup to stem the anarchy than at any time since the street caught fire on Jan. 25.

Vice President Omar Suleiman warned a group of Egyptian news editors that the only choice is between a descent into further lawlessness and a military takeover in Cairo. The distinguished political pundit of the 1960s and 1970s Hasnin Heikal saw no other way out of the crisis but a government ruling by the army's bayonets.

The arrival of US naval, marine and air forces in the Suez Canal's Greater Bitter Lake indicated that the crisis was quickly swerving out of control.

debkafile's military sources report that the American force consists of the USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group of six warships. Helicopters on some of their decks are there to carry and drop the 2,200 marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit which has been bolstered by two special operations battalions.

The flotilla has a rapid strike stealth submarine, the USS Scranton, which is designed to support special forces' operations.

The US strike force has taken up position at a strategic point opposite Ismailia between the west bank of the Suez Canal and its eastern Sinai bank. It is poised for rapid response in the event of the passage of about 40 percent of the world's marine freights through the Suez Canal being threatened or any other extreme occurrence warranting US military intervention.

For a few hours Tuesday, it looked as though Egypt was finally going back to normal after a two-week popular uprising. But then, suddenly, thousands again took to the streets and squares of Egyptian towns - from the Western desert on the Libyan border up to the northern Sinai town of El Arish in the east, recalling Hosni Mubarak's warning of chaos if he were to depart too soon.

They mounted their biggest demonstration of the campaign to oust Mubarak - in Cairo, Alexandria, the Delta Cities, the industrial belt around Mahalla-el-Kebir and the steel city of Heluan, shouting "Death to Mubarak!" and "Hang Mubarak!"

Although reforms and pay hikes have been pledged by the new Egyptian government, large groups of workers, mainly in Cairo, rebelled against state-appointed managements and set up "Revolutionary Committees" to run factories and other work places, including Egyptian state TV and Egypt's biggest weekly "Ros el-Yusuf."

The stock market and the pyramids remained closed and traffic blocked solid on the streets of Cairo.

[American Patriot]

Dekba has this way over over stating things doesn't it? LOL

"Swerving out of control" (because the US showed up)

I have extreme doubts a US military commander say anything like:

A high-ranking US source in Washington told debkafile's sources that the situation in Egypt is so appalling that a military takeover of the regime is no longer a threat but the only hope of rescuing Egypt from economic meltdown. Yet at this critical moment, he said, "the Egyptian army appears to have no figure capable of saving Egypt."

[American Patriot]

Mubarak is stepping down this afternoon!

[Malsua]

Yeah, poor guy. What is a man to do with no job and 70 billion in assets?

[New Guy]

this might not be pretty later today...

[BRVoice]

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/mi...653445426.html


Hosni Mubarak 'may step down'
Ruling party officials suggest Egypt's president will 'meet protesters demands', ahead of televised statement.
Last Modified: 10 Feb 2011 16:43 GMT

The Supreme Council of Egyptian Armed Forces has met to discuss the ongoing protests against the government of Hosni Mubarak, the president.

In a statement entitled 'Communique Number One', televised on state television, the army said it had convened the meeting response to the current political turmoil, and that it would continue to convene such meetings.

Thurday's meeting was chaired by Mohamed Tantawi, the defence minister, rather than Mubarak, who, as president, would normally have headed the meeting.

"Based on the responsibility of the armed forces and its commitment to protect the people and its keenness to protect the nation... and in support of the legitimate demands of the people [the army] will continue meeting on a continuous basis to examine measures to be taken to protect the nation and its gains and the ambitions of the great Egyptian people," the statement.

The army's statement was met with a roar of approval from protesters in Tahrir Square as vast crowds poured into the area.

Earlier, Hassan al-Roweni, an Egyptian army commander, told protesters in the square that "everything you want will be realised".

Protesters have demanded that Mubarak immediately stand down as president.

Hassam Badrawi, the secretary general of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), told the BBC and Channel 4 News on that he expected Mubarak to hand over his powers to Omar Suleiman, the vice-president.

"I think the right thing to do now is to take the action that would satisfy ... protesters," Badrawi told BBC television in a live interview.

Ahmed Shafiq, the country's prime minister, also told the BBC that the president may step down on Thursday evening, and that the situation would be "clarified soon". He told the Reuters news agency, however, that Mubarak remained in control, and that "everything is still in the hands of the president".

However, Anas el-Fekky, Egypt's information minister, denied all reports of Mubarak resigning.

"The president is still in power and he is not stepping down," el-Fekky told Reuters. "The president is not stepping down and everything you heard in the media is a rumour."

State television has announced that Mubarak is due to deliver an address to the nation on Thursday night from the presidential palace in Cairo.

It also reported that Mubarak was meeting with Omar Suleiman, the vice-president, at the presidential palace.

Mahmoud Zaher, a retired general in the Egyptian army, said that Mubarak's absence from the army meeting was a "clear and strong indication that [Mubarak] is no longer present", implying that the Egyptian president was not playing a role in governance any longer.

Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, said the US was closely watching a "very fluid situation".

Wael Ghonim, the Google executive who has played a key role in helping protesters get organised, said on the microblogging site Twitter on Thursday evening: "Mission accomplished. Thanks to all the brave young Egyptians."

He added shortly after, however, that protesters should "wait and see" before reaching any conclusions.

Jacky Rowland, our correspondent in Tahrir Square, described the atmosphere as "electric", with "standing room only" in the central Cairo area. She said that thousands gathered there were "celebrating a victory which has been anticipated, rather than actually achieved".

Some opposition groups, however, have said that they are concerned about how Mubarak would hand power over to, were he to resign.

"It looks like a military coup," said Essam al-Erian of the Muslim Brotherhood, the banned but tolerated group which is the biggest organised opposition party in Egypt. "I feel worry and anxiety. The
problem is not with the president it is with the regime."

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Amin Eskander, the leader of the Karama opposition movement said that he believed that Mubarak would stand down. He also said that he was not concerned if power was handed over to the military for an interim period, as he said the army was working in the interests of the people.


Labour union strikes

The developments come as the 17th day of pro-democracy protests continued across the country on Thursday, with labour unions joining pro-democracy protesters.

Egyptian labour unions held nationwide strikes for a second day, adding momentum to the pro-democracy demonstrations in Cairo and other cities.

Al Jazeera correspondents in Cairo reported that thousands of doctors, medical students and lawyers, the doctors dressed in white coats and the lawyers in black robes, marched in central Cairo and were hailed by pro-democracy protesters as they entered Tahrir [Liberation] Square.

The artists syndicate and public transport workers, including bus drivers, also joined the strikes, our correspondents reported.

"It's certainly increasing the pressure on the government here," Al Jazeera's Steffanie Dekker, reporting from Cairo, said.

"I think it's worth making the distinction that the strikes going on are more of an economic nature, they are not necessarily jumping on the bandwagon of the protesters in Tahrir Square.

"Many of them are not actually calling for the president to step down, but fighting for better wages, for better working conditions."

Pro-democracy supporters across the country have meanwhile called for a ten-million strong demonstration to take place after this week's Friday prayers.

Hoda Hamid, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Cairo, said that the mood in Liberation Square was "one of defiance, and if we judge by what is happening today, then I think ... many more people will heed that call and turn up".

She reported that some protesters had drawn up a list of demands beyond simply the exit of Mubarak. They included the formation of a transition government, which would include a council of presidents, representation from the army and well-respected judges, for the period of one year.

They demanded that parliament be dissolved and that a temporary constitution be put in place while a new one was drawn up by legal experts.

Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin in Cairo reported that at least five government buildings, including the governor's office and the office for public housing, were set alight in two straight days of riots in the northeastern town of Port Said. The situation in the city had calmed by Thursday evening, he said.


Protest investigation

Meanwhile, an immediate investigation has been launched and possible criminal charges could be brought against the senior officer who ordered the firing on protesters during protests on January 28 protests, Moyheldin said.

The ministry of interior also announced the sacking of the head of security in the New Valley governorate, Moyheldin said.

Also on Thursday, Mahmoud Wagdy, the interior minister, announced that the police were back at work on the streets of the capital.

Meanwhile, Suleiman, the country's vice-president, said on Thursday that his comments to American television station ABC had been taken out of context.

In his interview, Suleiman suggested that Egyptians were "not ready" for democracy. He had also earlier said that if protesters did not enter into dialogue with the Mubarak government, the army may be forced into carrying out a coup.

According to a statement released to a government news agency, Suleiman "emphasised that some sentences in his remarks ... were understood in the wrong way, especially his remarks regarding democratic transition in Egypt".

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch said the death toll from violent clashes during protests has reached 302 since January 28.

Egypt's health ministry has denied the figures, saying official statistics would be released shortly.


Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

[BRVoice]

http://www.debka.com/article/20650/


Deep US-Saudi rift over Egypt: Abdullah stands by Mubarak, turns to Tehran
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report February 10, 2011, 4:31 PM (GMT+02:00)

The conversation between President Barack Obama and Saudi King Abdullah early Thursday, Feb. 10, was the most acerbic the US president has ever had with an Arab ruler, debkafile's Middle East sources report. They had a serious falling-out on the Egyptian crisis which so enraged the king that some US and Middle East sources reported he suffered a sudden heart attack. Rumors that he had died rocked the world financial and oil markets that morning and were denied by an adviser to the ruling family. Some Gulf sources say he has had heart attacks in the past.

Those sources disclose that the call which Obama put into Abdullah, who is recuperating from back surgery at his palace in Morocco, brought their relations into deep crisis and placed in jeopardythe entire edifice of US Iran and Middle East policies.

The king chastised the president for his treatment of Egypt and its president Hosni Muhbarak calling it a disaster that would generate instability in the region and imperil all the moderate Arab rulers and regimes which had backed the United States until now. Abdullah took Obama to task for ditching America's most faithful ally in the Arab world and vowed that if the US continues to try and get rid of Mubarak, the Saudi royal family would bend all its resources to undoing Washington's plans for Egypt and nullifying their consequences.

According to British intelligence sources in London, the Saudi King pledged to make up the losses to Egypt if Washington cuts off military and economic aid to force Mubarak to resign.

He would personally instruct the Saudi treasury to transfer to the embattled Egyptian ruler the exact amounts he needs for himself and his army to stand up to American pressure.

Through all the ups and downs of Saudi-US relations since the 1950s no Saudi ruler has ever threatened direct action against American policy.

A senior Saudi source told the London Times that "Mubarak and King Abdullah are not just allies, they are close friends, and the King is not about to see his friend cast aside and humiliated."

Indeed, our sources add, the king at the age of 87 is fearful that in the event of a situation developing in Saudi Arabia like the uprising in Egypt, Washington would dump him just like Mubarak.

debkafile's intelligence sources add that replacement aid for Egypt was not the only card in Abdullah's deck. He informed Obama that without waiting for events in Egypt to play out or America's response, he had ordered the process set in train for raising the level of Riyadh's diplomatic and military ties with Tehran. Invitations had gone out from Riyadh for Iranian delegations to visit the main Saudi cities.

Abdullah stressed he had more than one bone to pick with Obama. The king accused the US president of turning his back not only on Mubarak but on another beleaguered American ally, the former Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri, when he was toppled by Iran's surrogate Hizballah.

Our sources in Washington report that all of President Obama's efforts to pacify the Saudi king and explain his Egyptian policy fell on deaf ears.

Arab sources in London reported Tuesday, Feb. 8, that a special US presidential emissary was dispatched to Morocco with a message of explanation for the king. He was turned away. This is not confirmed by US or Saudi sources.

The initiation of dialogue between Riyadh and Tehran is the most dramatic fallout in the region from the crisis in Egypt. Its is a boon for the ayatollahs who are treated the sight of pro-Western regimes either fading under the weight of domestic uprisings, or turning away from the US as Saudi Arabia is doing now.

This development is also of pivotal importance for Israel.

Saudi Arabia's close friendship with the Mubarak regime dovetailed neatly with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's alignment with Egypt and provided them with common policy denominators. The opening of the Saudi door to the Iranian push toward the Red Sea and Suez Canal tightens the Iranian siege ring around Israel.

Signs of friction between Washington and Riyadh were noticeable this week even before President Obama's call to King Abdullah. Some American media reported the discovery that Saudi oil reserves were a lot smaller than previously estimated. And Saudi media ran big headlines, most untypically, alleging the US embassy and consulate in Dahran were paying sub-contractors starvation wages of $4.3 a day for cleaning work and $3.3 a day for gardening work.

[BRVoice]

# shihabeldin RT @itsmarlamaples: #Tahrir - most packed since revolt. It's a carnival, ppl dancing, singing, hugging. http://bit.ly/VGnK 1 minute ago via TweetDeck

# Jon Jensen jonjensen I've seen two Tunisia flags flying in the sea of Egypt flags in Tahrir. #Mubarak #jan25 4 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy Heading out 2 continue media uprising: CNN, MSNBC, CBS Evening News, CBC, BBC World Service thru midnight. Yalla, #Egypt! 4 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Nic Robertson NicRobertsonCNN Total chaos one second then calm the next’ – I talk to with @journalismnews on reporting from Egypt http://bit.ly/fzDLO5 #mubarak 6 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Breaking Foxnews: Mubarak Will Step Down & Transfer Power to Military Council #Jan25 6 minutes ago via web

# Dan Nolan nolanjazeera RT @SherineT Cairo resident just said to me 'its like I'm graduating frm school-excited but scared abt what's coming next' #egypt #jan25 7 minutes ago via web

# Ali Abunimah avinunu BBC Arabic correspondent Khaled Izz al-'Arab has the best name. 7 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Either --> military rule, or: Omar Suleiman, or: president of supreme court, or: some other Egyptian leading figure #jan25 #egypt 7 minutes ago via web

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy Heading out 2 continue media uprising: CNN, MSNBC, CBS Evening News, CBC, BBC World Service. & whatever comes up in between. Yalla, #Egyhpt! 8 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi FoxNews reports that Mubarak will speak in 30 minutes. 8 minutes ago via web

# Ali Abunimah avinunu Angling for US aid? PM George Papandreou abandons Greece's historic and principled stance toward the Palestinian cause http://t.co/Dhywqwx 8 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy Anyone who thinks my latest tweets signal total elation - go back and read feed from earlier. I'm not going to repeat myself. 9 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Power could be handed over to President of Supreme Constitutional Court .. that is also a possibility analysts are mentioning #egypt #jan25 10 minutes ago via web

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy Impt:RESPECT 2 #Egypt revolutionaries, acknowledge what they've achieved & continued solidarity as they vow 2 go on 4 civilian-ruled #Egypt 11 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib THE ARAB TSUNAMI ... unstoppable now.. UNSTOPPABLE #jan25 #sidibouzid #arab 13 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Al Jazeera (hidden camera) sky view of Meydan Tahrir now. It's 8pm in Cairo. http://yfrog.com/h3seawj 13 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Ali Abunimah avinunu That is true! @stab70: @avinunu iranians may be also shivering 13 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# AJELive AJELive Don't forget, you can watch #Egypt's uprising on our live TV stream here: http://aje.me/fwtYjF - and our liveblog here: http://aje.me/iiQvqZ 17 minutes ago via web


# SultanAlQassemi You can watch Mubarak's address in English on this Al Jazeera link http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/ half a minute ago via web

# Sarah El Sirgany Ssirgany RT @ElFoulio: I left tahrir cuz its so packed, need a breath, its like a thousand wedding ceremonies #jan25 1 minute ago via TweetDeck

# Jan25 Voices Jan25voices We're going to live tweet Mubarak speech. 1 minute ago via web

# Ali Abunimah avinunu Now on Jordan TV: Lots of people queued up to kiss and congratulate the new cabinet ministers on winning the lottery. #JO #ReformJO 2 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# lyse doucet bbclysedoucet Mood electric in Cairo. Palpable sense of anticipation. What will Mubarak say tonite? #jan25 #egypt 3 minutes ago via ÃœberTwitter

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Al Arabiya: "Mubarak will address the nation shortly from the Presidential Palace in Cairo" 4 minutes ago via web

# Ali Abunimah avinunu By the way, there was a free and fair election for the new government in Jordan. One person voted. #JO #ReformJO #TweetCrime 4 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# Ali Abunimah avinunu Meanwhile over on Jordan TV: a bunch of people saying how we have to give the new government a chance. 5 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# Ahmed Shihab-Eldin shihabeldin RT @itsmarlamaples: #Tahrir - most packed since revolt. It's a carnival, ppl dancing, singing, hugging. http://bit.ly/VGnK 6 minutes ago via TweetDeck

# Jon Jensen jonjensen I've seen two Tunisia flags flying in the sea of Egypt flags in Tahrir. #Mubarak #jan25 9 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy Heading out 2 continue media uprising: CNN, MSNBC, CBS Evening News, CBC, BBC World Service thru midnight. Yalla, #Egypt! 10 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Nic Robertson NicRobertsonCNN Total chaos one second then calm the next’ – I talk to with @journalismnews on reporting from Egypt http://bit.ly/fzDLO5 #mubarak 11 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Breaking Foxnews: Mubarak Will Step Down & Transfer Power to Military Council #Jan25 11 minutes ago via web

# Dan Nolan nolanjazeera RT @SherineT Cairo resident just said to me 'its like I'm graduating frm school-excited but scared abt what's coming next' #egypt #jan25 12 minutes ago via web

# Ali Abunimah avinunu BBC Arabic correspondent Khaled Izz al-'Arab has the best name. 12 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Either --> military rule, or: Omar Suleiman, or: president of supreme court, or: some other Egyptian leading figure #jan25 #egypt 12 minutes ago via web

# AJELive AJELive Israeli PM Netanyahu: "I hope whoever replaces Mubarak will uphold peace treaty." - Israel Radio. Follow out liveblog: http://aje.me/iiQvqZ 2 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi BREAKING Al Hurra: Mubarak will arrive in Dubai in a few hours 2 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Mubarak appeared meeting with his Primer Minister Ahmad Shafiq in pictures shown on state TV. But when was that recorded? Who knows #jan25 3 minutes ago via web

# bbclysedoucet RT @BBCWorld: BBC Fergus Nicol #Tahrir Square: "Everybody's on tenterhooks. If something dramatic happens place will go bananas" #Egypt 2 minutes ago via ÃœberTwitter

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib #Egypt's Minister of Desinformation still saying that Mubarak would not be resigning .. denial till last last second.. #jan25 2 minutes ago via web

# AJELive AJELive Obama to make statement on #Egypt at 1830GMT. Watch our live TV stream here: http://aje.me/fwtYjF #Jan25 3 minutes ago via web

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy Any 1 who saw me @ AJE day of #Mubarak 1st speech might remember I said I refused 2 call him president anymore - in prep for day like this! 3 minutes ago via web

# Ali Abunimah avinunu Ok, leaving 1985 (Jordan TV) and going back to 2011 (@AJArabic). #TimeTravel 4 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# Alan Fisher AlanFisher Egyptian TV presenter and guest are criticizing former ministers by name they are accusing them of corruption, greed, and misuse of power 4 minutes ago via web

# 3arabawy #EgyWorkers strikes bolster anti-govt protests http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-Gjm0fMUg #Jan25 2 minutes ago via Echofon

# Ahmed Shihab-Eldin shihabeldin Tonight, whether Mubarak steps down or not, the #Egyptian people have regained their dignity. #jan25 #Mubarak http://bit.ly/ijPihv 2 minutes ago via TweetDeck

# Ali Abunimah avinunu We are all one: Palestinians in Gaza feed Egyptian troops - Moh'd Omer, The Electronic @Intifada http://t.co/CsFVPTs #jan25 2 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac

# Jan25 Voices Jan25voices Conflicting signals about exact timing from state TV about exact timing. We're waiting. #Jan25 #Egypt 2 minutes ago via web

# Alan Fisher AlanFisher President Obama will speak on Egypt at the top of his remarks in Michigan Univ. That was scheduled for 18:30gmt but will likely be late. 4 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Many of you telling me it should not be TSUNAMI, rather TUNIS-NAMI... I say YES to TUNISNAMI .. #sidibouzid #tunisia #jan25 #arab 4 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi From Cairo to Dubai: The shortest nonstop flight time is 3 hours & 15 minutes. 4 minutes ago via web

# lyse doucet bbclysedoucet RT @BBCWorld: BBC Fergus Nicol #Tahrir Square: "Everybody's on tenterhooks. If something dramatic happens place will go bananas" #Egypt 5 minutes ago via ÃœberTwitter

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib #Egypt's Minister of Desinformation still saying that Mubarak would not be resigning .. denial till last last second.. #jan25 6 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Page grab of Al Hurra stating that "Mubarak will arrive in Dubai within hours" http://yfrog.com/h3lwappj 6 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# AJELive AJELive Obama to make statement on #Egypt at 1830GMT. Watch our live TV stream here: http://aje.me/fwtYjF #Jan25 6 minutes ago via web

[Toad]

this might not be pretty later today...

I don't know, a lot of the violence was from the riot police. They pulled back. The Military has been very level headed, and Mubarak lost their support today. It might go better than expected.

But this is the middle east, things chance rapidly.

[Toad]

I wonder if the Egyptian military essentially sacrificed Mubarak to save the overall government power structure.

[BRVoice]

I wonder if the Egyptian military essentially sacrificed Mubarak to save the overall government power structure.

Very good question Toad. And there is no easy answer to this

[American Patriot]

I think you're right.

[BRVoice]

# Dima_Khatib Bueno, claramente quise escribir: si fueran.. no: si fueron ! Perdooon less than a minute ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Se va se va se va se va se vaaaa se vaaaa. Si fueran Latinos, eso serÃ*a el canto de los Egipcios ahora #egipto #jan25 1 minute ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Will he delegate powers, or will he resign? Or will he say: fhimtom (I got you) = didn't get it! #jan25 #egypt #mubarak 2 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib I will have the historic pleasure of tweeting Mubarak's thiRRRd speech, like I did with Ben Ali's speech .. #jan25 #egypt 3 minutes ago via web

# Alan Fisher AlanFisher I passed the 12,000 tweet mark at some point this evening. 5 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Se va se va se va se va se vaaaa se vaaaa. Si fueron Latinos, eso serÃ*a el canto de los Egipcios ahora #egipto #jan25 5 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

# Sharif Kouddous sharifkouddous Bad service but will try and update as possible 5 minutes ago via txt

# Sharif Kouddous sharifkouddous Electricity in the air in #Tahrir. Absolutely packed. Many think tonight could be the night. We wait for news. #Egypt 6 minutes ago via txt

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Al Arabiya: The Muslim Brotherhood has "withdrawn its statement" about it fearing a military coup against Mubarak 6 minutes ago via web

# Hossam عمو حسام 3arabawy The hashtag #ReasonsMubarakIsLate is hilaroud! 7 minutes ago via Echofon

# Nicholas Kristof NickKristof Remember that the #Egypt army has engaged in brutality, inc. threatened rape w/ bayonets: http://bit.ly/gTU91v 8 minutes ago via bitly

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Discours de Mubarak a 22h , heure du Caire.. Dans moins d'une heure #egypte #jan25 9 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

# Nicholas Kristof NickKristof I worry that the Egyptian army's plan may be to have a Mubarak-style govt without Mubarak. Am I too pessimistic? 9 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Discurso de Mubarak en menos de 1 hora, a las 10pm en Cairo #jan25 #egypt 9 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Al Arabiya: Mubarak will delegate all military affairs to the Defence Minister General Tantawi 10 minutes ago via web

# Ayman Mohyeldin AymanM atmosphere is electrifying, ppl bracing themselves with a little bit of anxiety but a great deal of optimism in #egypt #tahrir #jan25 10 minutes ago via web

# Breaking News BreakingNews Florida grand jury indicts mother accused of killing her two children - St. Petersburg Times http://bit.ly/huAIce 10 minutes ago via breakingnews.com

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy I am half thrilled half wary and most certainly totally proud to be #Egyptian today! Yalla, #Egypt! #Jan25 11 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone


# NickKristof Re: my concern abt army's intentions, @issMEzahweee notes: Don't forget the egyptians have done the impossible already. 1 minute ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Tendré el histórico honor de tuitear el tercer discurso de Mubarak.. Tal como hice con el tercer y último discurso de BenAli #jan25 #egipto 1 minute ago via web

# Alan Fisher AlanFisher I had plans for this evening - but then i suppose so did Hosni Mubarak #Egypt 2 minutes ago via web

# Ahmed Shihab-Eldin shihabeldin RT @BigMoe216: @mmbilal you tell them we hear them and are protesting to support them in the US http://youtu.b… (cont) http://deck.ly/~cEzT9 2 minutes ago via TweetDeck

# arabist arabist Key Qs: 1. Suleiman or not? 2. Coup or constitutional transition? 3. More negotiations or adoption of opposition demands? 2 minutes ago via YoruFukurou

# Ali Abunimah avinunu #ReasonsMubarakIsLate They are still arranging the massive bouquet to go on table in front of him. half a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

# AlanFisher #Egypt State Tv now showing live pictures from Liberation Square. #Egypt less than a minute ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi BBC Arabic: The Army has shut down the main entrances to Meydan Tahrir. (Time in Cairo 9:25pm, Mubarak speaking in 35 minutes) 1 minute ago via web

# DailyNewsEgypt Mubarak will announce constitutional procedures before handing over powers to VP, Al Arabiya television said: Reuters 3 minutes ago via TweetDeck

# SultanAlQassemi Al Arabiya: Unconfirmed reports: Mubarak will dissolve both houses of Parliament with early elections to be held less than a minute ago via web

# SultanAlQassemi Mubarak's statement is probably going to be recorded. The army is managing the situation very carefully & won't allow any surprises. less than 5 seconds ago via web

# SultanAlQassemi Al Arabiya: Mubarak will announce some constitutional procedures before he hands over power. 7 minutes ago via web

# SultanAlQassemi Al Jazeera: Mubarak's speech will be at 8pm GMT, 10pm Cairo. In one hour from now. 8 minutes ago via web"

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib 35 minutes to go.. before Mubarak TV address.. Will he be punctual? Or will he be like the famous curfew that never took place? #jan25 2 minutes ago via web

# shihabeldin Egyptian State Television is finally showing the same picture as #AlJazeera (Change of course in Editorial policy) #jan25 #Mubarak #Egypt 1 minute ago via TweetDeck

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib And.. I have a feeling, this thiRRRd speech won't be the last third speech I will be tweeting ! It is trendy this season! #jan25 #egypt 2 minutes ago via web

# Dima_Khatib I said it during #Sidibouzid, and I say it again now during #Jan25. It is worth being alive, just to live these revolutions #jan25 #egypt 2 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi See page grab of what Egypt State TV is showing right now. Same image of Al Jazeera. Huge shift in policy http://yfrog.com/h5kuomjj 2 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# AJELive AJELive Who is Omar Suleiman? Our profile of top intelligence chief & Egypt's first vice president since Mubarak came to power: http://aje.me/iiQvqZ half a minute ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi The BBC's Paul Adams in Cairo describes the atmosphere in Tahrir Square: "It's a bit like a rock concert before the band comes on stage." 3 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib @weddady Yes I think he is following on Ben Ali's steps.. giving us the thiRRRD speech.. only to be ousted before 4th speech #jan25 #egypt 4 minutes ago via web in reply to weddady

# Alan Fisher AlanFisher Presenter on #Egypt Tv looks as if someone's slapped her in the face with a wet fish #Nothappy 4 minutes ago via web

# Hossam عمو حسام 3arabawy Protest death toll may increase, human rights activists warn http://t.co/7qECy00 #Jan25 #Martyrs 5 minutes ago via Tweet Button

# Egypt Photographer degner My photos from Midan Tahrir on MSNBC.com http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com #Egypt #jan25 #Cairo 2 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Hossam عمو حسام 3arabawy Thanks everyone for your feedback re @ajenglish #Jan25 Again, this is not the end, it's only the beginning. #revolution 2 minutes ago via Echofon

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi That last tweet was from the BBC's great online coverage btw. 3 minutes ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Ben Ali gave thiRRRd speech in total denial, not giving up. He wrote 4th speech but.. he was gone before it was aired #jan25 #egypt 3 minutes ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Al Jazeera: Egypt State TV denies reports that Mubarak will be stepping down from power tonight less than a minute ago via web

# Jan25 Voices Jan25voices LPC: #Tahrir is incredibly loud. Spirits are up. Crowd waiting for exact information. Waiting for next milestones. #Jan25 #Egypt 1 minute ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi CNN: Senior official tells CNN that Mubarak will step down 1 minute ago via web

# AlanFisher Grab a cup of tea and hurry back - Mubarak speaks in 18 minutes we think. #Egypt less than 10 seconds ago via web

[BRVoice]

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/20...10/137146.html


Mubarak’s location still unknown amid conflicting reports
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Al Arabiya
DUBAI (Farrag Ismaeil)

Amid rapidly changing developments in Egypt and conflicting reports about the nature of power transition, questions about the location of embattled President Hosni Mubarak are taking center stage in different local and international news media.

While Egypt's state TV reported that Mubarak will deliver a statement live from his palace, earlier Egyptian media reports suggested that Mubarak had already departed to the Sinai resort of Sharm Eshiskh onboard a military airplane and was accompanied by chief of staff of the armed forces, Lt. Gen. Sami Annan.

Other local reports indicated that Mubarak has flown to an "unknown" destination.

US-based Al-Hurra TV reported that Mubarak was flying toward the United Arab Emirates and was expected in Dubai in an hour.

Reports about the whereabouts of the 82-year old president came amid growing speculation about the nature of power transition in the country.

Two main scenarios have been suggested by many political observers.

The first suggests that Mubarak would step aside and delegate his civilian authorities to his Vice President Omar Suleiman and his military authorities to the army.

The second predicts that coup d’état has already taken place and that a high military council is now being formed to run the country for an interim period and name a cabinet to be headed by the current Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq


(Translate from Arabic by Mustapha Ajbaili)

[BRVoice]

# shadihamid It seems like the Brotherhood's strategy of 'wait & see' is turning out to be more prescient than we thought #jan25 #Egypt half a minute ago via Tweetie for Mac

# Dima_Khatib Activist from Tahrir: Omar Suleiman is not acceptable #jan25 #egypt 1 minute ago via web

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy Just met Saad Eddin Ibrahim in the make up room at CNN as we both prepare to go on 2 discuss momentous day 4 #Egypt! Great 2 c him #Jan25 1 minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

# weddady weddady My sources: He's going in 24 hours. #jan25 1 minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Ayman Mohyeldin AymanM Significant change in editorial policy of #Egypt state tv- no longer portraying protests negatively in past few hours, more aggresive #jan25 1 minute ago via web

# BreakingNews Mubarak's location still unknown amid conflicting reports - Al Arabyia http://bit.ly/gGLNjA half a minute ago via breakingnews.com

# SultanAlQassemi Mubarak speaking in ten minutes. My heart is racing. I hope I will not be disappointed. I will live-tweet the speech in English. 2 minutes ago via web

# Alan Fisher AlanFisher EU stands ready to help Egypt's 'deep democracy': Ashton less than a minute ago via web

# Mona Eltahawy monaeltahawy 16 day peaceful uprising by courageous #Egyptians r bringing 2 end #Mubarak 30-yr rule. (Still working on his regime). Yalla, #Egypt! #Jan25 1 minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

# weddady weddady Ok, I am saddled up and on stand by in CNN's Boston studio. #Jan25 1 minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

# weddady Again: my sources tell me that Hosni is leaving within 24h #Jan25 decision was taken 6 hours ago. less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib ok Arab Tusunami = Tunisami I am adopting this last version #jan25 #egypt half a minute ago via web

# arabist arabist Does Egypt Need a New Constitution? | The Middle East Channel http://arb.st/enEhd1 half a minute ago via twitterfeed

# AlanFisher More and more looking like transition of all powers to military - but he stays president. Army refusing to humiliate military hero #Egypt half a minute ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Tahrir Square chanting clearly against OMAR SULEIMAN... #jan25 #egypt less than a minute ago via web

# Sultan Al Qassemi SultanAlQassemi Al Arabiya: Egypt Information Minister tells Reuters that "Mubarak will certainly not be stepping down" half a minute ago via web

# Dima Khatib أنا ديمة Dima_Khatib Millions of Egyptians are estimated to be on streets today... MILLIONS.. just on square & around: over 2 millions #jan2 5#egypt 1 minute ago via web

[American Patriot]

Sounds like he WON'T step down.

/chuckles

[BRVoice]

Sounds like he WON'T step down.

/chuckles

If he's not. Then the people in the Tahrir square will be VERY frustrated