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AP: Mubarak Will Meet Protester‘s Demands But Phrasing Suggests ’Military Coup’

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s military announced on national television that it has stepped in to “safeguard the country” on Thursday and assured protesters that President Hosni Mubarak will meet their demands in the strongest indication yet that Egypt’s longtime leader has lost power. In Washington, the CIA chief said there was a “strong likelihood” Mubarak will step down Thursday.

The dramatic announcement showed that the military was taking control after 17 days of protests demanding Mubarak’s immediate ouster spiraled out of control.

Gen. Hassan al-Roueini, military commander for the Cairo area, told thousands of protesters in central Tahrir Square, “All your demands will be met today.” Some in the crowd held up their hands in V-for-victory signs, shouting “the people want the end of the regime” and “Allahu akbar,“ or ”God is great,” a victory cry used by secular and religious people alike.

The military’s supreme council was meeting Thursday, without the commander in chief Mubarak, and announced on state TV its “support of the legitimate demands of the people.“ A spokesman read a statement that the council was in permanent session to explore ”what measures and arrangements could be made to safeguard the nation, its achievements and the ambitions of its great people.”

The statement was labeled “communique number 1,” a phrasing that suggests a military coup.

Footage on state TV showed Defense Minster Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi chairing the meeting of two dozen top stern-faced army officers, seated around a table. At Tantawi’s right was military chief of staff Gen. Sami Anan. Not present was Mubarak, the commander in chief and a former air force chief, or his vice president, Omar Suleiman, a former army general and intelligence chief named to his post after the protests erupted Jan. 25.

The head of the ruling party, Hossam Badrawi, told The Associated Press that he expects that Mubarak will “address the people tonight to respond to protesters demands.”

The moves came after protests Thursday increasingly spiraled out of the control of authorities trying to contain the crisis. Labor strikes erupted around the country in the past two days, state employees revolted against their directors and workers began joining the anti-Mubarak protesters centered for the past 17 days in Tahrir Square.

On Thursday, hundreds of lawyers in black robes broke through a police cordon and marched on one of Mubarak’s palaces – the first time protesters had done so, even though the president was not in the building, Abdeen Palace, several blocks from Tahrir. Police lined up in front of the palace gates stepped aside for the marchers.

Tens of thousands were massed in Tahrir itself, joined by striking doctors who marched in their white lab coats from a state hospital to the square and lawyers who broke with their pro-government union to join in.

“Now we’re united in one goal. The sun of the people has risen and it will not set again,” one of the lawyers, Said Bakri, said before the series of military announcements.

Vice President Suleiman and the foreign minister have been warning of the possibility of a coup or imposition of martial law if the protesters did not agree to a government-directed framework of negotiations for reforms. The protesters demanded Mubarak step down first.

This is a breaking story. Updates will be added.

Comments (108)

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  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:51am

    @ DASHRIPROCK

    I think I LOVE YOU….YOU CRACK ME UP!

    Seriously….not only does your name make me smile and laugh ….but I LOVE your sense of humor.

    Keep me laughing….keep your sense of humor….keep looking up!
    Thanks.

    Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:48am

    This is probably not going to end well for the Egyptian people.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • ldpeters
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:47am

    It is all too often in history a frightening prospect, and more, outcome when a country’s miltary takes over. But then for Egypt and the entire middle east….Is it the ‘lesser’ of the evils when weighed against The Muslim Brotherhood taking power?

    Report Post »  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:46am

    The problem with military coups is that the generals don’t often like giving up power once they have it. Look at Colonel Gaddafi of Libya, for example. Mubarak has to go, of course, but the future of Egypt will remain in doubt a long while. The Egyptian military might be more repressive than Mubarak in the end, at first out of ‘necessity’, then later from force of habit.

    Winning the immediate desire of Mubarak’s removal seems nice on paper, but I see little good coming from the military running the country; I can’t see the military rushing to put in the reforms Egyptians are demanding.

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
  • Pray for USA
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:43am

    The blonde on Morning Joe pointed out to Daisy Kahn how intolerant the Americans were when Daisy and her husband were pushing the “mosque-community center” near Ground Zero. Daisy was actually trying to talk about Egypt and say something nice about America when the blonde interrupted her and brought it back to how Americans just weren’t nice about the mosque thing.

    Report Post »  
  • olddog
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:40am

    To my friends on blaze. Responding to posts on blaze from the ********, and we know who they are only makes them write more. They come on here to taker minds off the issues by paying attention to them. Do these idiots really deserve any of our responses. They don‘t understand what you’d tell them anyway. Ignore the ******** and just talk among ourselves…..If we ignore them, then they are just wasting their time here which is what their life is about.

    Report Post » olddog  
  • temple62
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:36am

    With the countless marching, protesting and violence with the people opposed to the Obama regime, I would hope that Mubarak calls for Obama’s resignation!

    Report Post » temple62  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:32am

    I guess WE can EXPECT THE NEXT MOVE to be GAS PRICES TO GO EVEN HIGHER!

    And, THIS will be right up Obama’s ALLEY….which HE WILL HAPPILY BLAME ON MURBARCK.

    Report Post »  
  • Abby Normal
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:28am

    Here we go, now we’ll see what is what in Egypt…are you people watching the square right now, it’s on FoxNews link…all the competing factions chanting! incredible…and now the military takes control? hmmm

    Report Post »  
  • If its Brown, (like Jerry Brown), flush it down !
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:26am

    Someone needs to give Mubarek a little help, looks like our socialist administration
    is on the wrong side, not that I’m suprised at all.
    Whats up with all these gas explosions in American neighborhoods??????
    Could it be that this socialist administration needs a crises??
    Why cant anyone figure that out? Wheres the media on that??

    Report Post » It is their RIGHT, it is their DUTY...  
    • eyestoseeearstohear
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:46am

      Yes….
      Gas EXPLOSIONS, FISH washing ashore, DEAD, BIRDS falling from the SKY, COWS DYING AND GREEN GOO….but even MORE puzzling is, THE WEATHER!

      BTW – I don’t follow football – but I heard someone mention that the weather BEFORE the SuperBowl was HORRIBLE – but Obama attends – and the WEATHER CLEARED UP – the day AFTER the SuperBowl, the BAD WEATHER RESUMED!

      I KNOW ITS A STRETCH- but IF that is so, it’s something to wonder, huh?

      Report Post »  
    • brntout
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:09pm

      Hey eyes iheard it was a balmy 82 in D.C. during a superbowl party that consisted of cake and other assorted fatening menu items!

      Report Post »  
    • Kimberly B
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 4:09pm

      JN said heightened terror alert – gotta have a reason. False flags? (fwiw – my heart does go out to those that lost lives/homes in the gas explosions.)

      For eyesandears comment/reply
      As for the animals dying… and weather oddities… HAARP?

      Report Post » Kimberly B  
  • HippoNips
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:22am

    Non-sense, The Egyptian military is pro Mubarak and the people of Egypt love and respect their military as much as Americans do their own.
    The military will do whatever the scripted play is to fool the violent rioters and ending their terror on Egypt’s streets

    Report Post »  
  • mattp28
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:21am

    “Mission accomplished. Thanks to all the brave young Egyptians #Jan25,” Google executive and protest leader Wael Ghonim tweeted.

    This Revolution has been brought to you by Google, Goolge, not just a search engine anymore.

    Report Post »  
  • SUNBURST
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:20am

    Coup coup ka choo !

    Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:17am

    Not good!

    We have the head of the Intel, VP Suleiman, taking over. It puts everyone on streets in danger. This will make the situation in Egypt much more volatile.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • NancyBee
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:10am

    yeah……and live off of America’s money …….he helped himself to….like 70 Billion dollars

    Report Post » NancyBee  
  • CWW
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:09am

    I’m sure after Mubarak gives his speech O.Barack (the global citizen) with follow up and claim credit for getting him to step down.

    Report Post » CWW  
    • eyestoseeearstohear
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:28am

      You know he will!

      He’s a CREDIT GRABBER!
      What Obama does is, PLAYS BOTH SIDES OF THE FIELD”.

      He works hard doing all the wrong things – because he’s really trying to bring down America …..
      But when there’s CREDIT THAT HE CAN CLAIM that may make HIM look good….HE GRABS IT!

      THEN HIS CROONIES COME OUT AND RATTLE THEM OFF AS “ HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS”.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:07am

    I believe the Muslim Brotherhood isn’t interested in power like I believe Obama is a centrist.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • royalstar
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:22am

      It is all smoking mirrors in Egypt. Of course the players know what is up, but they are definitely not going to play their hand until everything is in place, similar to what is going on here in the dead of night and even in the light of day.We will know soon, but maybe not soon enough. I think the MB will be in charge whether it is in the open or as a shadow influence.

      Report Post »  
  • gregvgregvgregvgreg
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:01am

    we can respond to “alahu ackbar” with a heart felt “LETS GO TO WALMART!”

    Report Post » gregvgregvgregvgreg  
  • alcarfl
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:57am

    At least the Somalian pirates will benefit from the inevitable closure of the Suez canal when the brotherhood controls both sides of the passage. The UK will be the initial big loser when their petrol fees exceed 20 pounds per litre. Bloody awful.

    Report Post »  
  • HippoNips
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:52am

    It’s all done to take the energy out of the rioters .
    Just as Obama’s words on the subject were told to him by Mubarak. It’s all about managing the violent rioters, who are in fact the minority . Most Egyptians are not in the streets

    Report Post »  
  • GeauxAlready
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:52am

    .
    Muslim Brotherhood take over almost complete in Egypt. Next stop the U,S,A,…………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • USA_DisabledVet
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:17am

      You know there are good medications for paranoid schizophrenia?

      Report Post »  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:06pm

      @ USA_DisabledVet

      Those were famous last words spoken from one Jew to another as Germany fell to Hitler and the Nazi party.

      Report Post »  
    • beebacksoon
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:29pm

      Yep…with 50+ chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood here, in the US of A, it is possible. Don’t be so naive to think what is happening in Egypt, couldn’t happen here.

      Report Post »  
  • Beware of Romans
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:46am

    One step closer to World War III

    Report Post »  
    • Hobo Boondocks
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:42am

      If you thought Egypt did not respect civil rights such as freedom of religion, wait till you get a load of what’s coming. If the Muslims in Chechnya, Russia decide that their grievances aren’t being addressed by the powers that be, what may they be further emboldened to do in seeking independence from mother Russia? And what may the Russians feel they must do to suppress or overturn the ‘freedom’ fighters? Because of fear of what’s going on in Egypt, other nations will use the instability caused to justify taking action against groups they view as potentially a source of political problems, even if they are not, only a source of dissent.

      Report Post »  
  • brntout
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:44am

    Know when to fold ‘em….

    Report Post »  
  • ConstitutionalPatriot
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:43am

    The Fall is coming, this is like 1939 Spain or 1959 Cuba. Get ready for the roll through the middle east!

    Report Post » ConstitutionalPatriot  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:17am

      @Constitutional Patriot

      You are on the money, the next most likely target after the fall of Egypt will be the area of Saudi Arabia, and Jerusalem, while in the far east, Iran will make their move to increase the destabalization efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Watch for a threat of war between India and Pakistan soon, while the Taliban and Al Quaeda will make a spring offensive along the same timeline.

      The next feint in the duel will come from the far east, while the stab home comes in the middle of the mid east.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Edgar Bennet
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:47am

      Wal Mart is 24 hours genius, there is no after hours – smooth burn

      Report Post » Edgar Bennet  
    • Edgar Bennet
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:06pm

      That was a response to a deleted post

      Report Post » Edgar Bennet  
    • LVMerrily
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:07pm

      Did you notice the Brotherhood logo on the flag draped on the man’s shoulders in the photo?

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:41am

    It seems the military has finally decided to make their move, and force the hand of Mubarak. We will soon see what becomes of him and of the future for Egypt.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:46am

      It’s haed to say who is forcing his hand Snow. CNN reported that the Muslim Brotherhood is not seeking power in Egypt. I believe the Muslim Brotherhood about as much as I believe CNN. Who is buying this load of garbage? They’ve been trying to gain power in Egypt for several years. Now that they have a good chance of gaining power, they suddenly aren’t interested?

      http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the Muslim Brotherhood video

      Report Post » cnsrvtvj  
    • BMartin1776
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:50am

      So he may step down good. Lets get this going already and see who will rise to power over there. Everyone in the fringe media is downplaying the Muslim Brotherhood, if Mubarak gets out of the way we may very well see who is right on this Glenn or the fringe media. My money is the MB will step in with one of their own or someone they support, either way a step closer to the beginning of the caliphate. Once it happens here wait and see what happens in the other countries of the middle east that are destabilizing.

      http://www.savingtherepublic.com

      BMartin1776  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:57am

      @ConsrvtvJ

      Look on the drudgereport.com if you get a chance to, the article at the top speaks of the Saudi king will support Egypt if the US cut off their military aid; it seems a good possibility that the house of Saud has influenced the military to act, as a fellow muslum group will support them against the brotherhood and bring change to the nation.

      If this is the case, then it will be an alliance of mutual conveinance against an even more feared enemy of BOTH nations.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • booger71
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:09am

      Hey, do think if 200 thousand citizens protested on the WH steps, we could get Barry to step down?

      Report Post » booger71  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:14am

      @Arm of God

      It is nice to see that the muslum brotherhood follows the Blaze as well, peace be with you follower of Allah.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Abby Normal
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:30am

      A coup!

      Report Post »  
    • BMartin1776
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 11:55am

      I know I said it maybe when this first started 2 weeks ago but a military coup would be the next step….

      Report Post » BMartin1776  
    • avenger
      Posted on February 10, 2011 at 3:18pm

      egypt needs a General Augusto Pinochet to clean out the radical debris in the country and send a clear messege to the radicals…

      Report Post »  
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