Mubarak Says He Plans to Finish Term

Mubarak says he hands control to the vice president, but he won't be leaving or resigning his term.

Hosni Mubarak on LIVE Aljazeera TV.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Mubarak says he will not separate from the soil of Egypt "until he is buried underneath".

Shortly after NBC's Richard Engel announced that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would step down, the embattled president took to the airwaves during a national address attempted to explain how it is important that he finishes his responsibility.

Demonstrators gathering by the million in Cairo and Alexandria and many other Egyptian cities, say this will not work for them and they say they have no plan to end the protest, or allow Mubarak to remain in office

Referring to the lack of confidence and trust in the country's economy and its reputation on an international reputation, Mubarak tried to instill fear of a failing economic system.

"It will end up in a situation where they youth who are calling for reform and change will be the first victims."

He said, "It is now relating to Egypt, the current situation and the future. all Egyptians are lying in the same trench and we should continue the dialog we started without fear."

"He will leave, he shall leave" the crowd called out in the Arabic language. The minor concessions Mubarak were insufficient. Some said it was patronizing, he spoke to the crowd as though they were his own children, telling them about the need for, "Stability and peace to our citizens and to restore normal life to the Egyptian streets."

Mubarak told Egyptians that he has exhausted his life serving the military.

He talked about victory in the Sinai. "It was the happiest day of my life that I lifted the Egyptian flag over Sinai."

As Mubarak's translator performed his duty, the crowd yelled louder and louder in opposition, numbering in the neighborhood of two million people.

"I feel pain in my heart because of what I hear from some of my countrymen," Mubarak said.

Mubarak said, "Egypt is going through a defining moment in its history and we are all required to put the homeland above all."

Demonstrators in the crowd waved their shoes at Mubarak. His confidence and choice of words droned and did not sound convincing.

Is this a de facto resignation? Mubarak is transferring authority to the vice president, but that is not fully relinquishing control.

No doubt the people of Egypt are angry, extremely angry. Ken O'Keefe in Gaza wrote with joy earlier after hearing the news from NBC. They jumped the gun, though Richard Engle can get away with that and more in my book. I think he is one of the best TV reporters who ever lived. We will undoubtedly have more in this later.

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