Egyptians Are Standing Tall

Posted on February 11th, 2011

Egyptian president Hosni Mubarek stepped down from power today amid two weeks of protests to his rule by Egyptian citizens.

On the evening of February 10th with protesters numbering in the tens of thousands it was greatly anticipated the President Mabarek was going to cede power to Vice President Omar Suleiman during his speech to the nation.  But instead he made the symbolic gesture of handing over some authority to Suleiman while maintaining his twenty-nine year presidency.  Enraged protesters, emboldened by Mubarek’s defiance to the their demands, marched on the presidential palace and tore apart military barricades that were protecting the State Television and Radio Building.

This morning Vice President Suleiman announced that Mubarek would step down hand power over to the military.  The protests in Cairo’s Tahrir Square turned into parties as the Egyptian people ran the through the streets celebrating.

Egypt’s military now rules outside the constitutional framework of the country which leaves Egypt far from a stable democracy.  The military has moved quickly to reassure Egyptian citizens that it would respect the will of the population, and they have vowed to pave the way to a peaceful transition toward democracy.

Update: The military command announced the dissolution of the congress and the suspension of the constitution with promises of an election in six months.

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Stephen Alvarez and NPR’s Jacki Lyden Team Up to See What’s Below Paris

Posted on January 31st, 2011

Video Stephen Alvarez

A tale of two cities.  One above the ground of legendary beauty, and one below of abandoned tunnels, secret rooms and caverns.  Stephen Alvarez invited National Public Radio’s contributing correspondent, Jacki Lyden, on an urban spelunking adventure that served as the cover story for the February issue of National Geographic Magazine.