Obama Urges Mubarak Not to Run Again

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Obama has told the embattled president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, that he should not run for another term in elections in the fall, effectively withdrawing American support for its closest Arab ally, according to American diplomats in Cairo and Washington.

Al Arabiya television, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mr. Mubarak would announce in a nationwide address Tuesday evening that he would not run for another term.

The message was conveyed to Mr. Mubarak by Frank G. Wisner, a seasoned former diplomat with deep ties to Egypt, these officials said.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/world/middleeast/02transition.html

[gateley]

1. They were talking about Wisner earlier on MSNBC, that he'd come to know

Mubarak well and that's why he was the one who was sent.

The showed a clip of him recently (not sure of the date) and he was saying that they've known for a while that the Mubarak reign (my word, not his) would end on their watch (Obama's) and they'd been planning for it. He wasn't surprised by the revolution. It would be interesting to speak with him in depth, the inside stuff he knows would be intriguing.

[earthside]

2. I hope this isn't true.

It sounds condescending ...

"Be good little Egyptians and wait until the U.S. decides how long the dictator stays in office."

[florida08]

3. oh pfffffffffftttttttttt

They want freedom NOW

[wisteria]

6. Freedom now to do what? Has there even been any planning for what happens next?

What do they gain, by having Mubarak step down immediately? Are they all to just lead themselves? Is there a real leader who speaks for all the groups?

[Jacobin]

9. Likely because they don't believe the lying snake

who may "agree" not to run, but then "change his mind for the good of the country"

[florida08]

10. planning?? by whom?

This is an Egyptian revolution not an American one..but I have no doubt the administration is and has been in the planning stage.
What do they gain?? What do they gain?? They get their country back. They fight for their own resources to stay in their country.
Have you not been watching the civility of these people?? They are not children. They are perfectly capable of developing a democratic government on their own.

[golddigger]

4. Sounds like Obama is still clueless.

They want the asshole gone "NOW."

[wisteria]

7. And, then what comes next? No leadership? Or, someone worse than Mubarak stepping in and taking over

This is a country we are talking about, and the lives of many people. Things will not get better overnight even with President Mubarak stepping down immediately-which I think is a dangerous thing to do with no real leadership to take over.

[Webster Green]

5. Really?

Gee, why shouldn't he run again? :rofl:

[Name removed]

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