There are rumors that Mubarak's original speech was to step down...God only knows...
For what it might be worth, Sahar, the news here is that everyone -- even many people close to Mubarak -- thought he would step down. This morning, the head of the CIA even said on television that his information was Mubarak would step down. One news agency here is saying that they heard he was going to step down from
dozens of sources close to him. So perhaps the rumors are true that Mubarak had originally agreed to step down.
For whatever it might be worth, there are also reports here that the White House is fiercely divided between those advisers -- mostly older people -- to President Obama who want a slow transition of power and those advisers -- mostly younger people -- who want a rapid transition to a new government. If I read things right, the real significance of those reports is that no one in the White House now wants Mubarak to stay -- the only debate is over when -- not if, but when -- he should go. Of course, the White House cannot come out in public and say he should go because that would give Mubarak an excuse to stay and some people would rally to support him just because the White House said he should go.
My opinion is not worth much, Sahar, but I am optimistic. I think, for many reasons, that it is now inevitable Mubarak will leave soon. The only question is how soon?
You Egyptians are magnificent!