By Hugo Odiogor
Recalcitrant Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak threw his country into tumultuous jubilation yesterday with his belated resignation as the from office after 18 days of street protests to demand an end to his 31 year old dictatorship.

From Tahrir Square to Suez canal from Alexandria to Mehala, the agony of the nation ended in  a dramatic fashion as the embattled 82 year ailing Mubarak told the world that he would not be disgraced out of power and insisted on carrying out his self perpetuating political reforms that will terminate in September.

He transferred power to his lackey Mr. Omar Sulieman whom ha appointed the Vice President two weeks ago, to douse the anger of his protesting country men. The decision of Mubarak came as a surprise but diplomatic sources said Mubarak bowed to internal and external pressures especially as the Military was given the nudge to with draw support for Mubarak to pave way to end the street protest that was damaging the country’s economy and international image.
Mubarak was told that he was destroying his 60 year service to his country by insisting on staying in office till September because the level of internal dissension and external distrust was too much to sustain him in power. The protesters began to march towards the Presidential villa on Friday in huge number with more people coming from the rural areas to register their strong disaffection with Mubarak’s sit tight mentality.

The announcement of his resignation threw the country into riotous jubilation yesterday. Many of the protesters dropped to their knees a
nd began to pray as soon as the news was announced. Other protesters swarmed the army tanks that had been deployed to keep order. They danced in circles and frantically waved the Egyptian flag in celebration. Others blew whistles beat their drums and chanted, “Freedom!” and “God is great”.

The embattled former president had recounted his years of service to Egypt to place emotional burden on his country men and women who were not swayed even by his divide and rule tactics of sponsoring members of the security community to demonstrate in his favour. No fewer that 600 people lost their lives and over 5,000 people sustained injuries from the brutal tactics employed by Mubarak.

The United States President Barak Obama  said Mubarak’s decision to step down from power is “obviously a welcome step,” Washington said Mubarak’s decision to leave was  “a sign the Egyptian military chose People over the longtime ruler”. The U.S is concerned that there is peace in Egypt in the post Mubarak era.

”We caution all sides against violence during this transition,” President Barack Obama has held discussion on the developments in Egypt with senior officials of his administration as they confront the new reality in the country that holds the balance of power in the Middle East.