Hope Egyptian governmental bodies will function normally: Russia

Cairo, Feb 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that he expected Egyptian authorities would ensure the normal functioning of governmental bodies.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned Friday after 18 days of protests across the country, Vice President Omar Suleiman said on national TV.

The current events in Egypt are evidence that “the existing government is approaching the problems responsibly and is opting to contribute to an intra-national agreement”.

Lavrov also said he hopes that the country’s opposition will be ready to stabilise the situation.

“[We] expect that all the latest events will help to reestablish stability, will ensure the normal functioning of all authoritative bodies and that not only structures of the current government but also opposition powers will express their readiness to stabilise the situation,” Lavrov said.

Thousands of protesters on Tahrir Square in Cairo’s center began cheering, screaming, embracing, dancing while waving flags after the announcement of Mubarak’s resignation.

National TV reported that Mubarak and his family had left Cairo for his winter residence in Sharm el Sheikh, a popular resort in South Sinai.

Mubarak, who ruled the Arab country for almost 30 years, addressed the restive nation Thursday, giving most of his powers to Vice President Suleiman, the former intelligence chief, and proposing amendments to the constitution. Friday’s speech sparked outrage among protesters on Tahrir Square.

Earlier Friday, the Higher Military Council declared its support for Mubarak’s transfer of power to his vice president and promised free elections, but set no date for them.

–IANS/RIA Novosti