Mubarak Defies Rumors, Not Stepping Down: Join the Live Chat
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The biggest protest yet could take place in Cairo Friday after President Mubarak defied rumors and didn't not step down. Instead he "delegated powers" to the his vice president. We'll have the latest developments from Egypt and tonight's other headlines.
Want more details on what covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
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5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
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Congratulations to Anderson Cooper and his terrific team! You have not only given us excellent, honest coverage of an important moment in history. You have also changed the image of Americans in the Arab world. You have given us honor - at last - in a region that had almost lost hope regarding Americans. You have have given a voice to people who had none and shown the world that at least some Americans are on the side of history. Thank you very much for your excellent commentaries and for your courage.
Anderson ,let me tell you that Egyption don't trust the army after what happens tonight cause they relized that they are protecting mubark and his family not Egypt or the Egyptions
are they using psychological torture by nothing physically in a room which can be "proven" (as in, 'you only HEARD what you thought you heard')? then it could be claimed that it was just a sound-track (how lame, but i suspect so)
The protesters can only move forward–especially with the increasing numbers. I really hope things remain under control in the days ahead.
The whole army issue will come down to them either listening to the tyrants, or having some decent human agency and doing what they know is right for them, and for Egypt
@muhammad ebaid, "the world got punked"
I can agree with that. It seems like all the world leaders are afraid to take a more aggressive stand against the corrupt Mubarak regime.
Fasicinated and terrified with news. Best Anderson Cooper reporter ever.
"Proof from a journalist that was apprehend/held hostage for 24hours"??
I'm glad that you got out of there, when you did, Anderson!
Good Night Anderson and Everyone... have a nice evening
@Maya – I agree, Anderson, and all CNN reporters, and everyone helping to report this moving story from Egypt in a sincere and truthful way, is absolutely outstanding!!
They tell lawyers to never ask a question in court that you don't already know the answer to. President Obama should have waited to make his statement because he really didn't know what Mubarak would say. In other words, as a lawyer, he didn't know what the answer would be.
I agree with Prof. Ajami, the "thugs" are just wainting to ruin the peaceful demonstrations.
@Sayed – what a wonderful post to Arwa Daman- bless you.
@ Muhamman Ebaid – what kind of announcement do you expect from the Army?
@Casey- iagree with you, i find myself holding my breath too.
The detainments are very disturbing.
@ JoAnn. Ohio : Mrs. Clinton is the secretary of state and is fully aware of this and opted not to say a word. a wise choice at the moment. reports states that she thinks that the Egyptians must decide for themselves.
I agree with her.
The people must have friends and family in the Army. Would the Army fire at their family or friends? I'm hoping they will walk away and I think they will.
Yes Faried Zakarea is correct Army with him, he is one of them and this is his Army
Someone needs to mention that this may be working for the folks in the square because the world is watching.
@nancyinoregon
"I'm leery about 'helpers' sometimes."
I don't want to see another 'Iran, 1979'.
Lets see if that can be prevented. We know what the outcome there was.
did that man just say he had boyhood memories of tanks rolling by? come on people of the world – that is no way to grow up
President Mubarak need to blame somebody? Of course not him. Good and decent people of the world see's what's really happening in Egypt. Mubarak just put his foot in his mouth! And the people of Egypt are throwing their shoe at him, what does that tell you?
@ Starr
You need to understand that the army head honchos are definitely on the regime's side and something happened this afternoon that got them to reconsider their position and they let him go out and give that very defiant speech. However, the lower ranking officers are very sympathetic with the people. Many of them have thrown down their weapons and have joined the people. Others swore to the crowds that they would never harm them.
Mubarak doesn't understand, that we are living in 2011. he is not progressive one, who understands, that there is internet. a powerfull maschine. we are simply connected frm one 2 another, taking a communication from each other. This guy is not mently fit.
I am a filipino who is part of the 1st and 2nd people power revolution in the philippines and i am very much proud and in awe as this time its the egyptian peoples turn to create their own leaf in world history. Like us then, there is a point of calling for our own dictator to resign and when that wasn't heeded we further collectively empowered ourselves by ousting the dictator. I believe the egytian people have reach that point and the military will have no choice than side with the people. More power to you. Vox populi, vox dei. The voice of the people is the voice of god...
Thank you Anderson for your objective coverge of the truth in egypt
the pepole can't be stoped ,it all started with young Tunisian man who
burned him self thanks to him Ben Ali is over and now mobark too.
Well, I have to repeat my important point again. Today, Mubarak pulled a very ancient stunt on all people (long story). He did that deliberately to anger and provoke violence! This signal must not be missed.
@starr, where is it the the 'buck stops'? With the advisors?
@JoAnn: I think the White House is afraid to say anything yet. We all got it wrong today and I'm sure it's rattled the W.H. which Mubarak loves I'm sure.
I don't agree with Dr. Ajami. Mubarak's thugs are not an option any more.
Prof. Ajami: How is it possible that liberty, justice, freedom, and democracy can exist in an Islamic state governed by Sharia law? Is Mubaruk trying to protect Islam from this difficult dichotomy?
Paul
Anderson, what is the World Press doing about asking the "rest" of Egypt how "they" feel... or even just those in Cairo? It appears media has focused exclusively on one "tiny square".
@Hadil,
"Egypt is not Mubarak and his regime, Egypt is what we see in Tahrir Square."
Who do you think or would you like to see as the next Leader of Egypt? During this time that people have been calling for Mubarak to leave, I've not seen anyone emerge as the next leader. Have you?
anderson i have been glued to the tv for nearly 18 days watching egypt unfold and this problem now that mubarak refused to step down and continues lies and suleiman also lies about foreigners causing problems for egypt is not true and i stand with the egyptian people for thier freedom and i will continue to watch this it worries me about any americans still there should all leave now for safety away from cairo just to be safe,egypt is in bad shape they will take mubarak and suleiman down somehow i believe it
Anderson,
Your point about when this revolution stops being 'news' is an important one. What will happen to the Revolutionaries when the outside world is not watching, any more? Those old men do not look as if they'd hesitate to kill thousands...
Mubarak struck such an arrogant tone ,he was in effect saying 'you want me to go?-make me.'
he's playing for time to hide evidence of his crimes and to hide the paper trail that will lead to stolen money! a few billion i bet!
@jo ann
the world got punked
I really like Professor Ajami's insight into the political and cultural views of Egypt and even so the region.
Anderson,
I agree with you all way...... I hope that will not be violence tomorrow, we don't turn back again.... He was regime for 30 years now, that was so outraged who he touture against own people.... That is so sad.
do you suppose the thugs that carried out their duties "the best" got promoted? i wonder where they would get promoted to? how would they be paid?
@ Starr
The entire objective of this uprising is for a peaceful transfer of power and a peaceful transition to democracy. No one wanted to see one drop of blood. When the pro-Mubarak thugs attacked our people at the square, we tried to defend ourselves and call out "selmeya" (peaceful), but they kept coming and we had to fight back with anything and everything we could get our hands on. They had guns and molotov cocktails, we had stones. Please keep raising this issue all over the net for us. Keeping it alive will help us keep our uprising alive here in Egypt. The army's intention will be revealed shortly. I suspect it will be a few short hours before we find out for sure.
"President Obama should not have been so optimistic about history in the making."
I wish I could have been listening in on the calls leading up to the President's conference today.
@Megan 10:31 Seems you make it clearly less less confusing 😀
Mubarak and Suleiman will use these events as an excuse to continue to use the "emergency law".
a military coup d' etat...
just like what happened during the Marcos' administration in the Philippines...
more interesting for us to see who will sit once Mubarak is out. Is it going to be better for the Egyptians?
Hi Anderson & the entire team,
Do not expect Mubarak to step down before closing a deal to protect himself and his family from any future prosecution.
There is too much at stake…. Literally too much….Billions of dollars & the safety of his own family…
Shortly after Mubarak and the VP spoke today,,The Ambassador to Egypt called several media stations and told them that the interpreters to the media stations interpeted Mubaraks speach wrong. So much confusion.
@Cory: I believe it made the most crucial difference
What would happen if President Obama stop aid to Egypt? Until a decent leader took the place of President Mubarak?
When I heard and read that you and other reporters saying that Mubarak IS Egypt, that brought back ancient Egyptian history of 5000 years ago when the old Pharoahs would always say that when they would take the seat of power in Egypt. Is that ironic or what?? Apparently, Mubarak feels that he is the modern day pharoah of modern day Egypt, and he is as stubborn as it gets with him! What an analogy!!
Chari Mercier 🙂
St. Pete, FL
I am really surprised by the people who keep saying what will happen if Mubarak steps down. what would happen to Egypt if he suddenly dies? Will Egypt fall apart then. Maybe we will see his VP blaming God for taking his life and accusing Him of having a hidden agenda in conspiracy with Foreign countries. I hope the Egyptian people don't fall for the lies spread by the falling regime, Egypt is not Mubarak and his regime, Egypt is what we see in Tahrir Square.
It's ALL "foreign" to Mubarak, as he's not had to answer to anyone for 30+ years!