Mubarak quits as Egypt's leader
Hosni Mubarak tonight resigned as president of Egypt and handed control to the military.
Car horns were heard around Cairo in celebration after Vice President Omar Suleiman made the announcement on national TV.
“In these difficult circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave the position of the presidency,” Suleiman said.
“He has commissioned the armed forces council to direct the issues of the state.”
Leading Egyptian democracy campaigner Mohamed ElBaradei cheered Mubarak's resignation.
“This is the greatest day of my life. The country has been liberated after decades of repression,” he told The Associated Press.
The Nobel peace prize winner said he expects a “beautiful” transition of power.
