Report: Mubarak's sons, wife head to London

YNET ^ | 01.29.11, 18:16 | Roee Nahmias

[robowombat]

Al-Jazeera: Mubarak's sons left Egypt. Intelligence Chief Suleiman appointed deputy president

Drama grows in Egypt: President Hosni Mubarak's two sons arrived in London with their families, al-Jazeera reported Saturday, as the mayhem in Egypt continued rage out of control.

The report is based on sources in London's Egyptian community.

According to unconfirmed reports, Mubarak's wife, Suzanne, has also left to London, the Qatar- based network said. However, Egypt's television issued an official denial of the story and according to other reports Mubarak's family is still in Cairo.

Egypt Upheavel Protesters return to Cairo's streets / Associated Press Anti-government protesters hit streets throughout Egypt for fifth consecutive day, attack police forces with rocks and firebombs just hours after Mubarak promises Cabinet will resign. So far 74 people have been killed, reports say Full Story The president's son, Gamal, was previously expected to succeed his father, but the latest events in Egypt are raising question marks on whether Mubarak junior will indeed end up ruling Egypt.

Meanwhile, President Mubarak appointed Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman as his deputy, marking the first time the Egyptian leader ever made such appointment.

General Suleiman is considered a staunch supporter of Egypt's military establishment. Local television aired images Saturday afternoon showing Suleiman pledging his allegiance to the president and shaking his hand. Al-Arabiya said the appointment was received warmly in the city of Suez, where major clashes have taken places in recent days. However, it is still too early to predict whether the move will allay the popular anger sweeping through Egypt.

Mubarak also appointed a new prime minister Saturday afternoon - former Egyptian Air Force Chief Ahmed Shafiq, who served as civil aviation minister in the government. The appointment is considered a surprise, as the minister of international trade was expected to form the new Egyptian government

Meanwhile, the families of Israeli diplomats in Cairo returned to Israel in a special flight arranged by the Foreign Ministry. Some 40 Israelis who visited Cairo and asked to return to Israel were also aboard the flight.

Ronen Medzini contributed to the report

[robowombat]

The crisis continues

[Steely Tom]

So those stories (some posted here) that Mubarak was on his way out of Egypt last night were false.

[240B]

Why would they flee one Islamic nation only to go to another Islamic nation?

[Terry Mross]

I assume they flew by private jet since the airports are closed. Or maybe obama sent Pelosi’s jet since it’s not in use at the moment.

[omega4179]

The phone has been ringing since 3am yesterday

Soetor0’s failure is utter and complete.

[Noob1999]

I wonder how much gold they each took out?

They gotta beat Tunisia’s wife of $3 billion, or they’re each pikers!

[17th Miss Regt]

A couple of things come to mind. One, he may be getting his family out before he flees. This may be the case if the military has told him it will not support him. He can only hope that the security forces will keep the lid on a boiling cauldron. If so, maybe his family will return. Two, he may be getting his family out before he launches a brutal crackdown. This may be the case if the military has told him it will unreservedly support him and he knows that the security forces will succeed, by whatever means necessary, to keep the lid on a boiling cauldron. That option means killing a lot of people.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.

Although the MSM media will ignore it, this "uprising" looks a lot like when the "homeless, betrodden" Bedouin Trash (Palestinians) tried to over-throw Jordan's King Hussein ...

Trust me, if Eqypt falls, Saudi Arabia is "next" ...

.

[dennisw]

If Mubarek splits that bald headed stooge El Baredi may take over. He has Muslim brotherhood backing. The UN effer who smiled as Iran got nukes

[SunkenCiv]

IMHO if Mubarak falls, his fatal error will prove to have been firing his entire cabinet. His thinking was probably along the lines, hey look, I've replaced the heads of all departments, I'm committed to reform. He needed to get the troops out on the streets earlier; do mass roundups of all the Muslim Brotherhood members and their families, and shoot them all on TV; round up all the mullahs and their butt-buddies and tell them if any one of them won't sign a declaration of unconditional support for the government and condemnation of these (obviously orchestrated) riots, all of them will be shot on TV right behind the first group. It solves problems on multiple levels, permanently undermines Islamic influence among Egyptians of any stripe, and prevents M's getting shot in the back. Plus, it would be great to watch the buzzards pick the carcasses.

Anyway, have a great weekend all, and try to stay the hell out of predominantly Moslem countries. :')

• Egypt opposition party calls for interim government [Wafd party]
• New Middle East is taking shape based on Islam: Iranian cleric
• Iranian leaders hope for Islamic republic in Egypt

[SunkenCiv]

President Mubarak appointed Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman as his deputy... also appointed a new prime minister Saturday afternoon -- former Egyptian Air Force Chief Ahmed Shafiq, who served as civil aviation minister in the government. The appointment is considered a surprise, as the minister of international trade was expected to form the new Egyptian government

[17th Miss Regt]

A rather brutal approach. And probably necessary.

Effective communication is very important in government. You need to be communicating in a language that the hearer understands. And that need not be with words. It may be with lead.

[17th Miss Regt]

I was a tad young to understand what was going on in 1970 in Jordan. But I seem to remember that the 'Palis' were a large minority in Jordan and wanted to become the ruling group. They tried to overthrow Hussein and he ended up throwing them out en masse. This mass expulsion caused most of the Pali refugee problem in the 1970's. And since then the PLO and company have guided it to its current state of wretchedness.

So I am not sure that this is the same thing at all. It looks as if the populace is just fed up with the situation. I am certain that various elements are trying to make the situation worse so as to be able to take advantage of it. But I have not read of any 'minority in revolt' signs.

[SunkenCiv]

/bingo