by afew
Fri Feb 11th, 2011 at 01:51:29 AM EST
After Mubarak's refusal to step down, the situation looks confused (quite probably within the power base), and this in its turn offers dangerous perspectives.
Live blog Feb 11 - Egypt protests | Al Jazeera Blogs
5:52am Thousands of protesters have moved overnight towards the sensitive presidential palace, in the upscale neighbourhood of Heliopolis in central Cairo.
In addition to Tahrir Square, pro-democracy protests have already blocked access to the parliament building near the Liberation Square.
Thousands of protesters were also surrounding the radio and television building in Cairo, which they see as a mouthpiece for Mubarak's regime.
Many more protestors are likely to gather. Mubarak may intend to order the army to smash them. It is far from certain the army would heed that call. It may be that soldiers and younger officers are sympathetic to the protests, or at least would refuse to fire on the people. Things might boil down to a split in the military.
Use this as an open thread to follow today's events.
Update:
Live blog Feb 11 - Egypt protests | Al Jazeera Blogs
6:03pm: He's gone. He's resigned. 30 years of Mubarak rule is over. Omar Suleiman says:
President Hosni Mubarak has waived the office of president