In a historic move that sends shockwaves across the Arab world from Africa to Asia, Hosni Mubarak on Friday resigned as president of Egypt, a post he has held for nearly 30 years.

In a one-sentence statement read over state television, Vice President Omar Suleiman said: “I, Hosni Mubarak, has decided to step down as president of Egypt, and has assigned the higher council of the armed forces to run the affairs of the country.”

The announcement surprised protesters in Cairo’s Liberation Square and other places in the country but the crowds quickly erupted in jubilation and celebration as seen from live images broadcast by Al Jazeera.

Protests have victoriously ousted long-time US ally Hosni Mubarak who ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years. Photo by Wikimedia.

Mubarak’s resignation came on the 18th day of widespread protests which started January 25, and after nearly three decades of collaboration with and support from the United States.

Mubarak and members of his family reportedly left Egypt earlier in the day.

Egypt’s People Power

Protests to oust Mubarak began Jan. 25 and continued until Mubarak made the announcement by proxy tonight.

Protesters repeatedly defied curfews imposed by Mubarak and survived a cellphone and internet crackdown which tried but failed to deliver a debilitating blow to how Egyptians aroused, organized and mobilized themselves in the ensuing protests.

When Mubarak shut down Egypt’s links to the internet, Egyptians easily switched to old, printed forms of propaganda, churning out and distributing leaflets, showing a determination to see their cause of Mubarak’s resignation become a reality.

Tonight, Egyptians celebrated Mubarak’s ouster from the presidency.

People Power redux

The first such people’s uprising to depose a dictator happened nearly 25 years ago in the Philippines.

From Feb. 22-25, 1986 millions of Filipinos protected two military camps in Manila and demonstrated in various parts of the country in defense of soldiers who turned their backs on US-backed dictator Ferdinand Marcos and in protest of Marcos’ massive cheating in elections held early that month.

Marcos was practically chased out of the presidential palace and was whisked away to Hawaii, ending 20 years of his corrupt and tyrannical rule.

The Philippines did it again in 2001 with another military-backed people’s revolt ousting President Joseph Estrada.

But in both cases, the Philippines transitioned to civilian replacements: In 1986, Corazon Aquino, who the public believed won the presidential elections; and, in 2001, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was Estrada’s vice president.

Military junta

Mubarak’s statement of resignation as read by Suleiman stated that he is relinquishing presidential powers in favor of the “higher council of the armed forces”.

What this means to Egyptians’ desire for a civilian, democratic rule is unclear.

Suleiman himself is the country’s former top military spy.

It is not known publicly what steps the US took in the sidelines and behind the glare of old and new media.

Impact on Asia

Mubarak’s downfall comes soon after the dictator of Tunisia fled the country after Tunisians mounted vigorous protests.

In Asia, ongoing protests in Yemen, another Arab country beset by problems of corruption, mass poverty and terrorism, have been drawing inspiration from what Egyptians are doing.