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Egypt: “We Want Mubarak to Go Now!”

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Egypt, Breaking News, Politics, Protest

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].

A defiant Hosni Mubarak addressed [2] the Egyptian people for the second time since protests calling for an end of his regime started eight days ago.

His first address fired back on him, drawing more anger from the crowds who want to see him gone, after he has been at the helm of their country for 30 years. And his second speech is not faring any better. Tonight, he told Egyptians that he will not run in the November presidential elections, rallying the impatient crowds at Tahrir Square even more.

None of the reactions I saw on Twitter were in favour of his speech, and they varied from anger to those who said they would not wait until November to see the president's back: They want him gone now.

Here are some reactions online:

@majda72 [3]: So it's going to be the Ben Ali path of most resistance for Mubarak! Fine, let him be humiliated. #jan25

@gharezig [4]: #Mubarak : Please stop copying Ben Ali's speeches ! it's frustrating ! #Tunisia #Egypt #jan14 #jan25 #copying

@FromJoanne [5]: This guy is so insulting the Egyptian people its mind boggling #Jan25 #Mubarak

@RuwaydaMustafah [6]: Tahrir Square has gone wild with anger! Everyone is demanding #Mubarak to leave! #jan25 #egypt

@mimituu1 [7]: Very emotional moment, modern day Pharaoh H Mubarak announcing he will not b running 09/11. What I wished for 15 years ago. Sept 2 far. Go.

@justthinking [8]: #Mubarak doesn't seem to have any intention on leaving Egypt, or leaving his post anytime soon…

@tololy [9]: Mubarak praised himself in speech. Basically saying: I'm a humble servant of #Egypt, the demonstrators are rioters and looters. #Jan25 #fb

@sokkari [10]: Here comes the rift.. some accept and some refuse #Egypt #jan25

@halmustafa [11]: #Mubarak defiant. I dare him take a walk in Tahrir now, and show us his defiance & pride #jan25

@NatashaTynes [12]: Six months ago, Mubarak's speech would have meant a lot. Today, it seems like its too little too late

@asfefa says [13] [Ar]:

عزيزي مبارك انت مسوي ريتويت لخطابات بن علي ؟؟؟؟ #jan25 #egypt
“Dear Mubarak, Did you retweet Ben Ali's speech?”

@litfreak [14]: Bin Ali, at least, faltered and was visibly nervous. This man is in COMPLETE denial, or is pure evil. Scary. #jan25

@Firas_Atraqchi [15]: Mubarak is saying he will wait the protesters out … from Sharm? #jan25 #cairo

@AngryArabNews [16]: Mubarak defiant: it is Israel (and US) stupid: He has just given his speech. He is bizarrely defiant. Says tha… http://bit.ly/hKAeMM

@MunaFakhroo [17]: Ok how long do we need to wait !!!! Is Obama still asleep? #jan25 #whereishosni ??

For iTalal [18] [Ar], seeing Mubarak's face as he makes his speech, was enough to make his day.

مهما يكن الخطاب الذي سيلقيه مبارك، فقط تأملوا وجهه ففي ذلك متعة مشاهدة انكسار الظالم المتجبر #Jan25 #Egypt
“Whatever the content of the speech Mubarak would make, just pay attention to his face. There is so much joy in seeing an arrogant tyrant breakdown.”

And even before the speech was aired, journalists on Twitter, announced its content. BBC's Kim Ghattas writes:

@BBCKimGhattas [19]: American official confirms to me that ambassador Wisner met Mubarak, asked him not seek reelection, not to put forward his son. #Jan25

And finally, @yalzaiat notes [20]:

ﻻ تعلقوا على قول مبارك فهو ﻻ يستحق التعليق وأنا نادم على إيذاء سمعي بصوته.. اطربوا فقط بردّ الملايين الرائعة على سخفه
“Don't even comment on what Mubarak said, because he doesn't deserve that much attention. I regret that I hurt my hearing with his voice. Tune into the music of the chants of the response of millions to his silliness!”

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].