英语文摘：Egypt's longest-ruling president Mubarak resigns after 18 days of protest

Confronting the largest of its kind to challenge his rule in 30 years, Mubarak decided to take steps that might cool anger which eventually did not succeed as people commented "steps were always late."

The president sacked the Ahmed Nazif government including the widely detested former Minister of Interior Affairs Habib El Adly and appointed former Aviation Minister Ahmed Shafick as the prime minister.

Mubarak also named Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, the mastermind behind the end of Islamists militants in the 1990s, as Egypt's Vice President, the first of such position to be held in Mubarak's rule. The president ordered Suleiman to hold talks with the opposition who rejected Suleiman's call unless Mubarak steps down.

Mubarak's final move before he resigned was on Feb. 10 when he delegated his powers to his vice president Omar Suleiman.

"I will shoulder my responsibilities until the country witnesses the stable and peaceful transfer of power in September," Mubarak said.

The step that was unexpected by the crowds who hoped Mubarak's speech would be announcement of his resignation brought in tougher protests.

Demonstrator marched to the presidential palace on Friday and cordoned the Egyptian television until Suleiman announced the president's resignation.

What is unclear until now whether the former Egyptian president is still in Egypt or out. Early Friday reports confirmed that Mubarak and his family landed in Sharm El Sheikh along with Lieutenant General Sami Hafez Annan, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Army.