Egypt’s Mubarak hands power to military

The scenes of jubilation were repeated across the country. Outside the presidential palace, drivers honked their car horns while a crowd of thousands chanted: “The people have toppled the regime.” Egyptians had streamed out of mosques following Friday prayers vowing to oust Mubarak, 82, who yesterday defied calls for him to leave for the second […]

The scenes of jubilation were repeated across the country. Outside the presidential palace, drivers honked their car horns while a crowd of thousands chanted: “The people have toppled the regime.” Egyptians had streamed out of mosques following Friday prayers vowing to oust Mubarak, 82, who yesterday defied calls for him to leave for the second time this month.

The handover of power was announced by Vice President Omar Suleiman in a statement on state television late today, who said Mubarak had “instructed the Supreme Council of the armed forces to take over the affairs of the country.” Mubarak left Cairo for the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, state television reported before the announcement.

The army council, at its highest state of alert since the 1973 war with Israel, is likely to face calls for immediate elections from the thousands of young protesters who have crammed into Tahrir Square and used Facebook and Twitter to organize themselves.