Mubarak Rules Out Stepping Down, Warning of ‘Chaos’

Officials Still Insisting Egypt 'Not Tunisia'

Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak has ruled out resigning from his office once again, as violence rises across Cairo. Mubarak insisted there “will be chaos” if he is not president.

Which likely comes as a surprise to the demonstrators, as there seems to be no shortage of chaos now, as Mubarak supporters attack those calling for free elections on the streets and have turned Tahrir Square from a collection of hopeful protesters into an out-door emergency hospital.

Incredibly, Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq also backed the notion of Mubarak keeping power, insisting that Egypt would not turn into another Tunisia, where its president fled into exile, and demanding an “honorable” exit for Mubarak.

Though Mubarak has promised not to run for election in September it seems that there is very little trust that he would follow through in the absence of continued protests, and also considerable concern that the time will simply pave the way for a new president-for-life to replace the aging Mubarak.

Though Shafiq apologized for the violence in Tahrir Square, other officials appeared unrepentant, insisting that Egyptian culture demanded that Mubarak remain in power and that the protesters needed to respect Mubarak “as father and leader.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.