Mubarak Speech

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Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak is making comments in response to the huge protests today, saying that he regrets the casualties on both sides today. He says that the government handled the demonstrators poorly. He also says that the police originally defended the protesters, then the protests became "riots."

He calls his own government having freedom of the press and expression and that the protests would not be possible without them. He also declares that he receives and has received his power from the Constitution but that he will follow the sovereignty of the people. However, he says that there is a "fine line between freedom and chaos." He declares that he will defend "Egypt's stability." He will not allow for security to be reduced.

The demonstrations were said to have "repressed" the desire for more democracy and to reduce unemployment. He says that he is aware of the suffering of the Egyptian people and the problems facing society. He states that the problems facing the country cannot be fixed with violence and chaos but rather through dialogue.

He addressed the people as an "Egyptian citizen" and explained that he had given so much to the country. He states that he will 'continue reform' and "towards democracy and more freedom for citizens." He also says that he will increase the standard of living, create jobs, and improve services. "Our goals will define the shape of our futures."

Mubarak said that the protests left the "majority of the Egyptian people" fearing for the country's future. He said that he was shouldering his first responsibility to prevent "this fear to grip our people" and to "haunt our future and our fate."

BREAKING: It appears that he is talking about forming a new government-- but with him in charge. He says that he will try to keep security in the meantime.

Full coverage at World Threats.

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