BREAKING NEWS: Egyptian state TV: Mubarak has left Cairo, Posted by Menelik Zeleke

=============================================================== By Craig Whitlock, Ernesto Londono and Leila Fadel Washington Post Foreign Service Friday, February 11, 2011; 10:53 AM CAIRO - President Hosni Mubarak and his wife left the presidential palace in an affluent Cairo suburb Friday, Egyptian state television reported, as huge throngs of citizens across the country gathered to demand his ouster. The televised announcement said a statement would be coming from the presidential palace shortly. It did not say where Mubarak was headed, but the Associated Press, citing a local official, reported that he had gone to the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Daniel C. Kurtzer said he had been told by high-ranking U.S. government officials that Mubarak was in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Red Sea resort has long been a favorite holiday destination for the Egyptian president; his presence there would not necessarily indicate that he is stepping down from the all-powerful post he has held for 30 years. Mubarak's departure from the Egyptian capital came hours after he told the nation that he would remain in office but cede some powers to his hand-picked vice president, Omar Suleiman. The rambling, late-night speech followed a day of conflicting statements by public officials that led the massive crowds of demonstrators to believe Mubarak was about to resign. In response, throngs of people gathered in cities across the country, their anger and frustration mounting. "Mubarak must go! He is finished!" protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square shouted, as a sea of people waved red-white-and-black Egyptian flags. "Oh, Mubarak, be patient! The people will dig your grave." Friday morning, Egypt's military chiefs pledged to back Mubarak's decision to remain in office and hand over some powers to Suleiman. The supreme military council said it would guarantee "free and honest" elections after Mubarak's term expires, and a lifting of Egypt's 30-year-old state of emergency once calm returned to the streets. The military chiefs encouraged protesters to go home, citing the need to "return to normal life." Instead, the protests that have raged here for 18 days only grew, and there were repeated signs that the soldiers posted on the streets to watch over the demonstrations supported the protesters' efforts. Said Younis, a 26-year-old advertising executive, said military officers stationed at the palace offered their sympathy and support, providing tea and juice to the handful of protesters who pulled an all-night vigil. The people and the army are continuing their march together!" chanted hundreds of supporters outside al-Ouruba, the presidential palace in the affluent Cairo suburb of Heliopolis. Hours later, the crowd had swelled to several thousand. Said Younis, a 26-year-old advertising executive, said military officers stationed at the palace offered their sympathy and support, providing tea and juice to the handful of protesters who pulled an all-night vigil.