Mubarak won't run at next election

Subject: Mubarak won't run at next election Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:18 pm

Mubarak won't run at next election
US president Barack Obama says he has told Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak that he must start to hand over power straight away, after the Egyptian strongman's decision to stay on until September outraged protesters.

In a televised address on Egyptian TV this morning, Mr Mubarak said he would not be standing at the next election and would work in the next few months to assure a peaceful transition of power.

The speech came at the end of a dramatic day which saw hundreds of thousands of people march across the country in peaceful rallies to demand the president's immediate resignation.

And it prompted howls of rage from protesters gathered in Cairo and Alexandria, where crowds reacted by chanting "Leave, leave" and "Revolution unto death".

Mr Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt since 1981, said he had never intended to stand at the next election, scheduled for September, saying he had "exhausted his life in serving Egypt and its people."

"My top priority is to ensure the stability of the nation," he said.

"In all sincerity, regardless of the current circumstances, I never intended to be a candidate for another term. This is my country. This is where I lived, I fought and defended its land, sovereignty and interests, and I will die on its soil," he said.

Mr Mubarak said he would also seek changes to force future presidents to serve for fixed terms.

Mr Obama increased the pressure on Mr Mubarak this morning, saying he had spoken to the Egyptian leader to stress the need for change.

"What I indicated tonight to President Mubarak is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now," he said.

"Furthermore, the process must include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices and opposition parties. It should lead to elections that are free and fair.

"To the people of Egypt, particularly the young people of Egypt, I want to be clear, we hear your voices. I have an unyielding belief that you will determine your own destiny," Mr Obama added.

Mr Mubarak's decision to hang on to power merely intensified the anger of protesters who have now been demonstrating against his regime for more than a week.

Anti-government protesters clashed in Alexandria with supporters of Mr Mubarak, Al Jazeera television reported, and shots were heard as a tank headed towards the trouble.

"We don't want his way. We don't want him to choose our people for us," one protester said.

Another protester called for Mr Mubarak to step down immediately.

"We want this government out, we want that president out. We want our country clean, sound and safe," he said.

"September is not what we're asking for. We're not going to wait for September.

"We're not going to move back an inch. We want it now, not tomorrow. Now. If he's not going to do it now we're going to stay until he does it."

The TV station showed pictures of youths throwing rocks. They scattered as automatic gunfire rang out and the tank advanced towards them before halting and then withdrawing. There was no sign of any casualties.

» Transcript: Mubarak tells Egyptians he won't seek re-election
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» Pro-Mubarak demonstrators attack journalists
» Mubarak's Supporters Strike Back
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