Radical Far Left Obama Lectures Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Egypt News and other sources
Mubarak stated that he is “on the side of the poor people,” and that he knows the suffering and aspirations of the people. He promised to move forward with reforms that will improve the conditions in the country. Mubarak has no intentions of stepping down as President, and seemed to hope his announcement that he has asked the Government to step down would pacify the people.
Mubarak said the protests that are sweeping Egypt are part of a “plot” to destroy the foundation of stability in Egypt. He called on the “youth” of Egypt to not take part in further protests.
Mubarak told his nation that he has “exhausted my life” for the sake of Egypt, and that together, he and the Egyptian people have “weathered” many hard times.
Mubarak said in his speech that he has “requested the Government to step down today, and I will designate a new Government as of tomorrow.”
Parts of Cairo resembled a war zone, filled with smoke, rubble and the smell of tear gas.
Medical sources said at least 24 people had been killed and over a thousand injured in clashes in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria.
More than half of the dead in yesterday’s clashes were reported in Suez, the eastern city which has been ground zero for the most violent protests over the past four days.
Mubarak, 82, has been a close ally of Washington and beneficiary of US aid for decades.
The protests were triggered by the overthrow two weeks ago of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Al Ben Ali.
Street protests in Tunis focused on similar issues of poverty and political repression. Demonstrations have also flared in Yemen, Algeria, Sudan and Jordan in recent weeks.

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Obama said he talked with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for about 30 minutes, and has called on him to not respond to peaceful protests with violence. He pressed the case for reform in his remarks, saying that “grievances have built up over time” because of a lack of progress on reform.
Obama said he told Mubarak he “has a responsibility to give meaning to his words” – referring to the speech Mubarak gave earlier in the day.
President Obama also called on Mubarak to return access to the internet and to social networking sites to the Egyptian people.

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BBC: Egyptian Tanks Surround US, UK Embassies
The BBC is reporting that Egyptian Army tanks have allegedly surrounded the embassies of the United States and United Kingdom.
This comes after Israel evacuated its entire embassy staff via helicopter. This is coming in through their live blog, and further details appear scarce. The BBC is quoting an al-Jazeera cable:

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Israel fears that a power shift in Egypt may result in a another radical republic on its southern border.
YNet

A fundamental change of government in Egypt may lead to a “revolution in Israel’s security doctrine,” a defense official told Ynet Friday night, as protests against President Hosni Mubarak’s rule continued to intensify.

The security official made it clear that Israel’s peace treaty with Egypt constitutes an important strategic asset, “which enables the IDF to focus on other theaters.” The defense source said that the IDF would have to dedicate major resources in order to devote any attention to the Egyptian front as well.

“It is no secret that the IDF focuses on certain theaters and earmarks most resources to them,” the official said. “The Egyptians are only addressed on the margins. We are holding discussions, including updates relevant to recent years, yet without a doubt Egypt is not considered a theater that requires attention.”

Should a revolution indeed take place in Egypt, the rules of play will not necessarily change at once, the source added. “It won’t mean, heaven forbid, that Egypt would immediately turn into an enemy country, yet our attention would most certainly have to shift.”

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Wild Thing’s comment……..
Obama said he told Mubarak he “has a responsibility to give meaning to his words” – referring to the speech Mubarak gave earlier in the day.
Can you believe it?? sheesh What a total jerk, Obama is. He lectured Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak !!!!
I hope somehow our country is preparing to get the Americans out of there. Surprised we haven’t already evacuated, given our history in the region. Seems like we should have evacuation contingency plans throughout the Mideast.
Mubarak became president only after the assassination of his predecessor, Anwar El Sadat (Sadat was hated for making peace with Israel). Osama bin Laden’s lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahiri, had worked to overthrow Sadat, and was arrested following the assassination.
Egypt has resisted Sharia law — so far — primarily because the terrain allows secular leaders like Mubarak to fend off Islamist insurgents — unlike in Afghanistan or Pakistan. But Egypt was always been a most desired goal for conquest.