Mubarak: Not Stepping Down But Continues The Transition Of Power Until September

When Hosni Mubarak finally spoke this afternoon, he started by saying that he was addressing “all of you from the heart.”

“I am very grateful and very proud of you that has been a symbolic generation that is calling for change for the better,” Mubarak said.

Mubarak's first order of business: to reaffirm that he will not hesitate punish those who are responsible for violating the rights of Egypt's youths. “My heart ached for your heartache,” he said.

Mubarak reiterated what we already knew, saying, “I have announced, without any doubt, that I will not run for the next presidential elections.” But he did not announce that he would be stepping down.

“I have told you my determination that I will hold steadfast to….take care of country until power is transferred to whoever the country chooses,” he said. “This is the oath I have taken.”

“Until we take Egypt to safety and security, I have given you my vision to get out of this current situation, for what the people and the youth call for,” Mubarak continued. “I have given you this vision under commitment to take the country out of this current crisis and I will continue to accomplish it and monitor this situation hour by hour.”

Mubarak said that he has agreed on a roadmap with a time table, adding, “Day after day we will continue the transition of power from now until September.”