Mubarak's 'Day of Departure' begins

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163523.html

Protesters in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, are staging a "Day of Departure" for President Hosni Mubarak.

The Egyptian anti-government protesters have started the eleventh consecutive day of their demonstrations across the country to force Mubarak to step down.

Protesters are gathering in Cairo's Tahrir Square and millions of Egyptians are expected to take part in the rally.

The demonstrators who are reportedly coming to Cairo from other parts of the country, plan to gather at the square and mosques all around the capital and then march to the presidential palace.

Protesters are chanting that Mubarak's regime is "null and void."

Meanwhile, reports say pro-government vigilantes are trying to prevent demonstrators from reaching Cairo's Tahrir Square which is expected to be the focal point of Friday's protests.

Mubarak loyalists have reportedly been throwing rocks at protesters from roof-tops.

A prominent Egyptian cleric, Yusuf Al Qaradawi, has said that Mubarak has lost legitimacy because more than 90 percent of Egyptians want him out.

Qaradawi has said it is "the religious duty for every Muslim in Egypt to join the protest" and called on Mubarak to step down or face intensified protests.

He also reiterated that "the pro-government demonstrators are members of the secret police and the entire show is stage-managed."

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, during the Friday prayer sermons in Tehran, pointed to Mubarak as a “lackey of the Zionist Regime.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that Tunisia's former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was dependent on the US and even the CIA.

Meanwhile, The New York Times has reported that the US is discussing a plan with Egypt for Mubarak to resign immediately.