Mubarak’s Defiant Speech Escalates Tensions and Uncertainty in Egypt

James Phillips / February 10, 2011

Egypt’s beleaguered President Hosni Mubarak announced tonight in a televised speech that he refuses to step down, but he promised to launch an investigation to hold officials of his regime accountable for fomenting violence against protesters since the political turmoil began on January 25. Mubarak promised that he would transfer some undefined leadership responsibilities to his Vice President, Omar Suleiman. He also proclaimed his love for Egypt and promised that “I will not leave it until I am buried in the ground.”

Mubarak failed to satisfy the tens of thousands of opposition demonstrators who have thronged Cairo for 17 straight days calling for the ouster of his unpopular regime. Earlier in the day the demonstrators had chanted: “Civil, civil, not military!” as they heard reports that Mubarak might pass authority to a military government. After hearing the speech, the crowd’s mood turned from jubilation to anger, and they repeatedly roared “Get out!” (more…)