Will Mubarak step down today?

[cali]

Protests in Egypt are only intensifying according to Al-Jazeera. 50,000 people are now in Tahir Square. Over 100 are dead across the country.

I can't see Mubarak holding out for more than a few days.

[Syrinx]

1. no

I think Mubarak will hang on to the end.

[malaise]

2. Not sure but he's history

At 8.00am ET the official curfew begins. All curfews have been ignored so far. How the army responds to protesters from that time will give us a clue about Mubarak's tenure.
If he gives the army orders to shoot and kill, it's over faster than he ever thought possible. I don't see how the army can open fire on these tens of thousands of people - either way Mubarak is history.
People are chanting 'illegitimate'.
The people have already won - this is the largest protest in Egypt.

[Swede Atlanta]

3. Autocrats don't always think logically........

Mubarak's hold on power is absolutely in the hands of the military. If they turn on him he will be gone sooner rather than later.

But if we recall the Shah held onto power for months amid horrendous riots and deaths. It was only when he saw he was losing control of the security forces he left.

[jannyk]

4. No, I don't think he'll ever 'step down' - he'll have to be shoved out. nt