Egypt President Hosni Mubarak just doesn’t get it

A masked Egyptian protestors stands near Egyptian army’s Republican Guards in central Cairo on January 29 [AFP]

It appears that the 82-year-old Hosni Mubarak is either senile or thinks Egypt's 80-million population are stupid.

In his speech delivered to the nation on Friday, Mubarak who ruled Egypt for 30 years said,

“I have asked the government to present its resignation today and I will name a new government starting from tomorrow … to effectively deal with the priorities of this current phase.”

In a somewhat “buying time” move, he appointed his trusted and powerful intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, 74-year-old, as the country's vice president. The last time Egypt had a vice-president was 30 years ago – when Mubarak himself served under Anwar Sadat in 1981.

Despite Mubarak’s Friday speech, protesters are demanding his immediate departure. According to security and medical sources, at least 102 people across the country have been killed in five days of anti-government unrest.

Egypt President Hosni Mubarak just doesn't get it. The people of Egypt have had enough of his suppressive and authoritarian regime and wants him to step down immediately.