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Marking the historic end to the three-decade long presidency of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, President Obama said Egyptians had inspired the world by their peaceful protests for their universal rights.
Obama made the remarks after huddling in the White House Situation Room with his national security team. The president had dropped by a previously scheduled Principals Committee meeting convened by National Security Advisor Tom Donilon to discuss current developments in the country, according to a spokesman.
The news of Mubarak's resignation came a day after the White House and the world had expected the leader to step down. Yesterday in Michigan, Obama had called what was happening in Egypt a "moment of transformation." Today he expanded on those sentiments.
"There are very few moments in our lives where we have the privilege to witness history taking place," he said during brief remarks in the Grand Foyer of the White House. "This is one of those moments; this is one of those times. The people of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard and Egypt will never be the same."
Obama said Egypt had played "a pivotal role in human history" for more than 6,000 years and that young Egyptians had shown the world what can be achieved through non-violent protest, a clear message to extremists.
"This is the power of human dignity, and it can never be denied," he said. "Egyptians have inspired us and they've done so by putting the lie to the idea that justice is best gained through violence. For in Egypt it was the moral force of non violence -- not terrorism, not mindless killing, but non violence. Moral force that bent the arc of history toward justice once more."
The president ended by comparing the events in Egypt to the fall of the Berlin Wall and quoted Martin Luther King, saying that Egypt reminds us, "There's something in the soul that cries out for freedom."
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Tears in my eyes....
You and me both, Amy. As the President noted, this is only the beginning and they have a long road ahead of them. But now they have an even longer road behind them.
I'm reminded of something Bill Clinton said - I think at the 2008 convention, though not sure if it was attributed to someone else. In any case:
"We lead not by the example of our power.....but by the power of our example".
On a lighter note, the Egyptians also showed that they know how to stage a protest. The "protesters" we have here can't even spell half of their signs correctly!
I find it very interesting that so many of our President haters turn out to be totallly wrong. Pres. Obama kept his nose out of Egypt's affairs and everything ended without violence. So much better than invading the country, losing 4,000 troops, and spending Billions of dollars, that could have been used to bring down the deficit.
Guess that beats the argument to 'reload'... Intelligence beats ignorance any day! I'm proud of our POTUS and the peaceful citizen protesters of Egypt!
Gandhi and MLK would be proud. Perhaps this movement will lead to the renewal of moderate Islamic governments across the Middle East.
Wonder when Americans will demand the coporatocracy leave--or at least be reigned in adequately
The President's words were both true and appropriate to the situation...we are witnessing history...
Let's hope we see a little human dignity from the usual suspects....
Now What.............
The next few months will tell, will we get a Moderate Govt in Egypt. or will get an Anti Western Govt in Egypt.
Who is the leader of Egypt. right now the Military. but really who have the people of Egypt Choosen to be their Leader. We have no Answers.
and how has this improved anything in Egypt right now. will unemployment go down? will there be more food. will Business pick up. what if it doesn't happen tomorrow?
What is it that Egypt provides in Goods to the rest of the world. What do they produce?
I don't know what they produce over there, but I did hear that they do have something of a decent manufacturing base. Food isn't so much scarece as it is too expensive.
And I, too, wonder who is in the wings, ready to take over. Might not be a good-guy, for sure.
We need to send the 'drill, baby, drill' crowd and the 2nd amendment enthusiasts to Egypt to learn how to non-violently achieve an objective since they missed out on the Civil Rights techniques of the '60's here at home. None of the protesters had a machine-gun strapped to their back as many of our beloved teabagger protesters usually do.
POWER ALWAYS TO THE PEOPLE!!!
Tell us there Frank.
How many people were Killed at these Rally's you speak of here in the USA. How many people were Injured? How many Business were Destroyed?
What Violence is it you speak of Regarding the Tea Party? Please share..
Steve,
I think he meant the Black man that got beat up and was called an Uncle Tom at a Union rally.
I'll bet the reporters in Egypt that were beatten will tell you all about "none violent protest".
Yes there is. Thank you Dr. King.
The people of America are speaking too but Obama is not listening.
Found this on the BBC:
0009: As people unwind after an incredibly tense couple of weeks in Egypt, there are plenty of jokes doing the rounds about the situation on social media websites Sultan Al Qassemi tweets one he received via SMS: "Dear Arab people: What happens in Egypt stays in Egypt. Sincerely, Arab dictators."
I am happy for the people of Egypt and hope the transition goes well.
Thank you President Obama! You are the best president in the world! We are bless to have you!!
Thanks Tommy, I concer with what you say,he gets my vote in 2012
The people of Egypt have spoken? I think not.
First of all, power has been handed over to the military at this point. Yeah, and that NEVER ends well. Secondly, the people of Egypt don't know what they want. They only know what they don't want.
Perhaps instead of asking "Did they get what they want?" we should ask "Will they want what they get?"
Time will tell... It appears that many posters would rather attack here at home (from both sides) than be observant of history. The assination of Anwar el-Sadat by "extremists?" brought us Hosni Mubarak. What does history tell us about the legacy of President Sadat? How will history reflect upon the ouster of President Mubarak? What course will Egypt take from here? How will history reflect upon President Obama's influence? Time will tell...
Is this really being compared to the fall of the Berlin wall? Really??? You mean a protest that started in a country that was our ally to convince their president to step down due to high unemployment is comparable to the end of the the cold war and the fall of the soviet union? Really?
On a side note, my nieces little league team recently won a championship for the township. I will be giving a speech later on youtube on how it compares to the world series.
Maybe the tea party will march on Washington and ask Obama to resign.
Remember, Obama said the Surge in Iraq would not work, it would make things worse.
He also said the Stimulus (that failed) would keep unemployment below 8%. He was wrong again. This president is the Pretender-in-Chief, he has no credibility. Those that voted for his "Change we can believe in" actually got Change from what they believe in, and they don't believe in his Marxism.
November 2012 can't come soon enough.
Obama has made the USA weak in the eyes of the world. Face it, who cares if they like us, and they don't even with Obama, for they respect one thing and one thing only.......STRENGTH. November 2012 can't come soon enough.
O ne
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A wful
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A merica
And your alternative is...?
Tommy..Right on the mark...Obama played it right..No matter what he said, the Ditto Heads would find something wrong with his comments.Never can win with the Fox Lemmings..
I am proud of President Obama.