Mubarak Steps Down from Presidency

Tahrir Square was the site of astonishing scenes on Friday, the world watching as the streets of Cairo exploded with unbridled joy after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down and ended his 30 year reign as ruler of the country.

It was the culmination of weeks of protests throughout the country demanding that the 82 year old Mubarak leave his post and hand over control of the government. Tahrir Square became the epicenter of protests that often turned violent, citizens clashing with the army and police as well as plain-clothes militias supporting the government.

On Thursday, CIA Director Leon Panetta told a House intelligence committee that there was a "strong likelihood" Mubarak would step down from power that evening, but in the following hours there were no indications Mubarak would adhere to the demands of the thousands who have taken to the streets over the past several weeks.

But on Friday, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced on state television that Mubarak and his wife had left the capital and handed over control to the military, triggering a mass outpouring of emotion onto the streets of Cairo and Alexandria.

Photo Courtesy of The Gaurdian