Denial Really Is A River In Egypt, Part 2

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will indeed step down.

In September.

Castigating "political interests" that sought to cause unrest in Egyptian society, President Hosni Mubarak announced Tuesday he would not seek reelection at the end of his term in Sept.


"I instructed the vice president to engage in dialog with all the political forces on all the issues raised for politicial and democratic reforms," Mubarak said during a broadcast of Egyptian state television.

"I address you today, directly, to the people of the nation. Farmers, workers, Muslims and Christians. Elderly and youth. Each Egyptian man and woman in the countryside and cities across the nation. I never sold power and influence. People are aware of the harsh conditions I shouldered with responsibility."

He said he was "totally committed to ending his career" with dignity and in an orderly manner.

"In the few months remaining in my current term," Mubarak said he would "guarantee the transition of power." He further called on parliament to amend the Constitution to add presidential term limits.

Mubarak's term ends in September, but protesters have demanded he leave office right away.

The whole "I'm going to stick around for another seven months" thing isn't really going over well with the people in Egypt, needless to say.  It's worth noting that Jordanian King Abdullah has dismissed his cabinet as well and named a new Prime Minister.  But it's not going to be good enough.  Somebody needs to make it clear to Mubarak that there's a plane waiting for him, and needs to be on it before things get truly ugly.