Egypt: Mubarak resigns, military takes over

CAIRO: Egypt's Vice President, Umar Sulayman announced on national TV Friday that Hosni Mubarak has resigned as president and handed control to the army.

Egyptian people celebrated the news they had been waiting for.

"In these difficult circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave the position of the presidency," Sulayman said. He has commissioned the Armed Forces Council to direct the issues of the state."

Mubarak had earlier gone to holiday resort of Sharm EL Sheikh.

His resignation was expected last night after pressure from the US. However, in his speech last night, Mubarak did not announce his resignation.

The people of Egypt wanted Mubarak and Sulayman and the rest of his cabinet to resign.