Egyptian military backs protesters
Army’s announcement likely signals end of Mubarak’s rule
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In a decisive move that could spell the immediate end of Hosni Mubarak’s presidency, the command of Egypt’s military has come forward to declare on state television that the demands of protesters should be met in order to “maintain the homeland and the achievements and the aspirations of the great people of Egypt.” The commander of the Cairo area, General Hassan al-Roueini, addressed protesters in Tahrir Square on Thursday and said, “all your demands will be met today.” The military’s supreme council met without Mubarak present to discuss a possible end to the crisis. The announcement could mean that Mubarak will be forced to announce his resignation as soon as Thursday night, handing over provisional power to his vice-president, Omar Suleiman.